Latest news with #AIMFederation
BBC News
21-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Norfolk school with 17 pupils to close
A school that had just 17 pupils will not reopen in the new academic declining student numbers means Cantley Primary has been closed by Norfolk County Council and merged with Freethorpe Primary, which is also run by AIM Federation of authority warned falling birth rates both locally and nationally could see more schools affected as funding was linked to student numbers."We have to put the children's education first and we just can't see how Cantley can continue to provide a good education with so few children," said Penny Carpenter, councillor for children's services. "Next year there would have been just one class for children from year 1 to year 6 and that would make delivering a broad curriculum almost impossible."The authority added that the majority of students at Cantley had come from outside the catchment area and there were surplus places at several nearby a consultation on the merger began in May, parents argued they were not being given enough time and the trust had not promoted the school enough. On 11 July, the council discussed school sustainability amid falling numbers at its children, families and community select that, the local authority said it would work with groups of schools to help them prepare "for a future with fewer children".It was suggested schools could reduce admission numbers, change their catchment area, share resources, merge or face closure. David Hopkins, executive head teacher at the AIM Federation of Schools, said: "Our priority as a federation is to ensure that all of our children get the very best education. "Unfortunately, we just don't feel we can deliver a broad enough curriculum with the numbers as they are at Cantley."Freethorpe is a good school and we will spend the last days of term preparing children for their transition and marking the end of an era at Cantley, which has been a much-loved school for so many."This is a sad decision but we believe that amalgamation will give us a stronger, more resilient school community and is in the children's best interests." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Parents fight to save Norfolk school with only 17 pupils
Parents said they had not been given enough time to take part in discussions about the future of a school that has just 17 pupils enrolled from Federation of Schools and Norfolk County Council said Cantley Primary School, near Great Yarmouth, was not viable, and proposed to merge it with nearby Freethorpe Primary School.A consultation was launched on the idea, and parents have until 16 June to participate, with a decision expected before the summer holidays. If approved, the schools would merge for Teacher Association, chair, Jess Royal, said: "It isn't long enough for what could be a life-changing decision on where you want to be sending your children." Norfolk County Council said with no children due into the Reception class from September, all pupils in years one to six would have to be taught in a single said merging with another school operated by the same federation would ensure continuity in teaching, ethos and Ms Royal added: "We've worked very hard as a PTA on this last year, to build those connections and trust back up with parents and fundraising to develop a forest school setting, which is a unique selling point for the school."We just feel like it's not being promoted enough by the federation, and the school hasn't had the chance to prove what it's capable of." PTA member Matthew Lawson said the group had been asking questions about the school's viability since February."It feels like they've [the school] had a rough ride over the last few years, and they've had successive headteachers and there's no stability," the dad said. "And they're counting on the lack of stability and using it to close the school and save money."I fundamentally believe this school has a heartbeat still." Executive headteacher David Hopkins said: "Our priority as a federation is to ensure that all of our children get the very best education."Unfortunately, we just don't feel we can deliver a broad enough curriculum with the numbers as they are at Cantley, which is why our governors have made the difficult decision to proceed with this consultation."We believe that amalgamation will give us a stronger, more resilient school community, but we want to hear the opinions of parents, carers and the community. "No decision has been made." Cllr Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for Norfolk's children's services, said: "The number of pupils at Cantley has been falling for some time and has reached a critical point in the last few months. "Sadly, this means we have reached the point where we need to consult on this proposed amalgamation, because we need to ensure all children locally can continue to receive a good education." Local county councillor Andrew Proctor said: "Cantley is a good school, which has served the community well for many years. "The focus must be on how and where children in the village can receive the best education."I would urge people locally to respond to the consultation, with their views." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
