EF94B9 Elementary school children wearing blue school uniforms raising hands in classroom. Image shot 2014. Exact date unknown
LIVERPOOL City Council has launched two consultations on whether two “new” primary schools should be opened.
The proposals are that Gilmour Infant and Gilmour Junior Schools, Garston, should be amalgamated to form Gilmour Primary, and for Sudley Infant and Junior Schools in Aigburth should merge to form Sudley Primary.
Both consultations run for six weeks, until 25 February, with the council’s Cabinet considering results at its May meeting. If approved, there will be a representation period in June with a final Cabinet decision made at the July meeting.
The proposals have come about as in both cases the headteacher of the infant school retired at the end of December. Under the proposals, the current junior school heads would become the heads of the new primary schools.
If the plans are approved the old schools would “close” at the end of August 2023, with the new primaries seamlessly opening their doors for the new school year. The new schools will be in the existing school buildings
If the recommendations are approved, all children currently at the infant and junior schools would be offered a place at the new schools.
Following amalgamation, the schools would have the following places:
- Gilmour – 630 school places with 60 nursey places.
- Sudley – 840 school places.
Council officers will be engaging directly with staff, governors and parents and carers, with the opportunity to also attend face-to-face sessions.
Anyone in the wider community who is not contacted directly is also welcome to send feedback.
Full details and how to comment are on the council’s consultation webpage.
Cabinet member for Education and Skills Cllr Tomas Logan said: “Whenever an opportunity arises the council is committed to exploring the possibility of amalgamating infant and junior schools.
“All-through primary schools are beneficial as they offer consistency for pupils and mean that parents and carers do not need to apply for a junior school place, but no decisions will be made until we have consulted fully with everyone affected.
“At both Gilmour and Sudley the headteacher retirements have afforded us a natural opportunity to think about the future and consider amalgamating the existing schools.”
