School Organisation Committee decide not to amalgamate Valley Infant & Junior Schools in Whitehaven

Today, the School Organisation Committee decided not to amalgamate Valley Infant & Junior Schools in Whitehaven. The decision has been taken in light of information received from Cumbria's Local Education Service and the comments made by the 2 schools. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"After weighing up the evidence the School Organisation Committee have decided not to approve our proposals to amalgamate the 2 schools. The County Council published proposals because of its responsibility to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources. In Cumbria, four out of five of our Primary Schools serve children from the start of school until they reach the age of eleven and evidence suggests that these schools provide equally well for infants and junior age children and avoid the need to change schools. Continuity is very helpful for the development of young children. The 2 schools do occupy the same buildings and we feel would benefit financially and educationally from being one school. Since the Committee could not endorse the County Council's proposals the matter will now be referred to the School Adjudicator."