An official recommendation to replace Bayston Hill’s two schools with one new site is due to be discussed by county councillors next week.
Shropshire County Council cabinet will meet on Wednesday, November 19, to discuss proposals to merge 16 schools across the county, including replacing Longmeadow and Oakland in Bayston Hill with a new facility.
Proposals following the final stage of formal consultation also include combining infant and junior schools to form primary schools. Shrewsbury sites are The Grange Infant and Junior, Mount Pleasant Infant and Junior, Springfield Infant and Holy Cross Junior, and Meole Brace Infant and Junior.
The meeting represents the final decisions on these schools and any changes which are agreed are due to take place next September.
Liz Nicholson, director of children and young people’s services, said: “We feel these recommendations are the best way forward for these schools, and it is now for councillors to consider the report and make their decisions.”
Shrewsbury’s MP Daniel Kawczynski, who has supported the Oakland campaigners, said the merger proposal was ‘extremely disappointing’ and called on councillors to reject it.
But Oakland headteacher Ann Gibson said if the decision to amalgamate was agreed ,staff and governors would support it for the benefit of the children.
She said: “We pledged in May, after the vote was to carry on with this consultation process, that we would support our anti-amalgamation stance until the decision was made. The governors took a motion that after that vote we would whole-heartedly support whatever happened to ensure the very best for all the children in Bayston Hill.”
