A CAMPAIGN group to oppose a proposed shake up of the school system in Pershore has warned of ‘educational chaos’ should the move be given the green light.
Parents Voice has been set up by parents concerned Pershore High School’s consultation to take in year seven pupils from September 2016.
Headed by Eleanor Wise, a parent of a current middle school pupil, the group was established after parents raised concerns over the proposals first revealed in November.
“The vast majority of parents feel the middle school system is a very valuable one, which works well here and in other areas of the country and they want to preserve that, because of all the benefits that it provides their children.” she said.
The group have accused Pershore High School of the lack of planning and raised concerns over the lack of local authority involvement and said school closures, building work and staff redundancies would result.
“All the evidence suggests that there would be educational chaos as a result and our children’s progress and achievement would suffer.” she said.
“In all of those cases there was local authority funding, so who knows what it would be like for us, without!.”
“We don’t feel that any of our children should pay the price for that, when what we have got already is working well and could easily be developed to work better still with proper co-operation between all the
schools.” she added.
In response, Pershore High School headteacher Clive Corbett stressed consultation was his only aim and urged everyone involved to have their say.
“The key point remains the only decision made thus far has been to consult on the issue.
“We have begun a very meaningful discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal for all children in the Pershore area.
“We will then move forward in the light of feedback received.”
“In addition, I will be attending meetings at Abbey Park Middle School and two at Pinvin School, and will be happy to do so at any other school to which I am invited.
Consultation events will be held at Pershore High School on January 27 for High School parents from 6pm and February 9 for stakeholders from 6pm and January 22 and February 4 with partner pyramid school parents, again from 6pm.
A meeting about the proposals will take place at Abbey Park Middle School on Monday (January 19) at 6.30pm.
Visit www.parentvoicepershore.com or https://www.facebook.com/groups/746230602092905/ for more information about the group.
