William Morris Primary School could close and become part of the successful Harris Academy in a bid to drive up standards.

Preliminary discussions have begun to merge the schools which are based next to each other in Wide Way, Mitcham - creating a central Government-funded academy catering for pupils aged four to 19-years-old.

William Morris school was judged to be just one level above failing in an Ofsted report last year unlike the Harris Academy which inspectors found to be outstanding.

Andy Halpin, head at the Harris Academy said it was early days and the move’s viability needed to be fully assessed He added: “If I was a Mitcham parent it would come as a massive relief to know that my child could be well educated at the same school from the age of four up to 19.”

William Morris school, with 240 pupils, has been designated as one of London’s schools in greatest need of additional support, included in the government’s City Challenge Keys to Success programme.

Since Tamworth School became the Harris Academy in 2006, it has gone from being under-subscribed and on the verge of failing to one of the area’s top schools with three times more applications than places each year.

Councillor Debbie Shears, cabinet member for children’s services at Merton Council said: “The council has developed and continues to develop strong local partnerships to deliver our ambitions for education in Merton.

“Any proposals will be driven by the need to accelerate progress in raising standards at William Morris school, building on the successful track record of the Harris Academy.”

The move could include shared leadership and governance arrangements at both schools. Any changes would be subject to a statutory consultation.

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