Croydon schools to merge infants and juniors (From Your Local Guardian)

Croydon schools to merge infants and juniors

11:00am Friday 17th February 2012 in Croydon By Nick Hitchens

A selection of infant and junior schools will merge to form full primary schools for the coming academic year.

Applegarth, Cypress, All Saints and Woodside will have their infant and junior sections merge to improve continuity for pupils.

All Saints and Woodside have both gone some way towards the creation of single junior schools following an earlier paper to cabinet at the end of 2011.

Their consultation work with parents and staff is due to be reported back to the council in May.

Applegarth and Cypress’ amalgamation programme will start once cabinet, who are due to meet on Monday, approve the proposal.

The same meeting will also look to approve minor amendments to the school admission scheme for the 2013 September.

The main change being made to current published arrangements is the proposed increase in the numbers of forms of entry at Monks Orchard, Heavers Farm, Purley Oaks and Spring Park.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: “All of this news is excellent.

"The creation of strong primary schools will give continuity to the education of pupils who attend them and the increase in the overall numbers of permanent places should enable far more parents to get their children into one or other of their preferred schools."