REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley says she has concerns about Tudor Grange Academy Redditch’s proposal but supports a move to a two tier system.
Mrs Lumley told the Standard while she believed such a move would improve standards she was ‘nervous’ about how the town appeared to be being ‘bounced’ into accepting such a major change.
She has written to Education Secretary Michael Gove to seek assurances the TGAR proposal, currently being consulted on, will not be seen in isolation.
“There will be opportunities for schools to merge and first and middle schools should be talking to each other, especially those close together, to provide a larger junior school on one site.” she said.
“But I am nervous there is no one person to co-ordinate this. We need a Redditch wide solution and to ensure the Tudor Grange proposal is not looked at in isolation and creates a shortage of secondary school places.”
It will be up to the Government to sign off TGAR’s proposal, if approved by governors, as academies are outside the control of Worcestershire County Council.
TGAR argue the proposal has a range of benefits including increased choice for parents, continuity of education for students, improved educational outcomes and the provision of specialist facilities and teaching in drama, arts, sport and science.
Residents can respond to the consultation by writing to Tudor Grange Academy Redditch, Woodrow Drive, Redditch, B98 7UH with age range consultation on the back of the envelope. Views can also be emailed to [email protected] by Friday, June 20.
A public meeting is also being held at the school on Tuesday, June 10 between 7pm and 8pm. Visit www.redditch.tgacademy.org.uk to download the school’s consultation document.
