Primaries pioneer a way forward
Merging senior management is the future for small Lincolnshire primary schools – according to one headmaster who has done it.
Two county primary schools, in Dunston and Digby, have come together to form a pioneering 'federation'.
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Headteacher Graham Boyall
While federations and academies are being heard of more and more at secondary level, it is not often we hear about primary schools merging under similar banners.
Dunston St Peter's and Digby primary schools, south of Lincoln and about five miles apart, have become a 'soft governance federation'.
And the most obvious initial change is that headteacher at Dunston Graham Boyall is now responsible for both.
"At Digby they had a lot of change where a lot of headteachers moved on because they got promotions," he said.
"There was nothing wrong with the school but they had just had a lot of change.
"The local authority were looking at a more stable situation with schools working together.
"Ultimately it's the future for small schools in terms of the fact that pupils numbers are predicted to fall in the future."
Staff say they will be able to share ideas, and also share the cost of going on school trips.
For more on the new scheme, see Thursday's Echo.
4 Comments
by Frank O'Fyle, France
Friday, May 15 2009, 7:22AM
“It's such a shame that you don't read this very paper Louise. On May 2nd - less than two weeks ago - it told of the national birth rate rising - but of Lincolnshire's rise being twice the national average, including in hospitals in your area!
Perhaps there are reasons for combining schools. But they aren't birth rate, school trips, or staff learning from one another.”
by Louise Grant, Sleaford
Thursday, May 14 2009, 5:29PM
“There are several such federations in Lincolnshire which are very sucessful indeed. They open up a wealth of opportunities for all of the children.
I have seen figures showing that the birth rate is falling in this area.
I also feel that whilst school staff wear lots of hats, it can only be a good thing if their wealth of expertise is shared in a formal way.”
by Frank O'Fyle, France
Thursday, May 14 2009, 1:28PM
“Erm ... so you need federating to share ideas, or to share the cost of school visits? Can't see the logic there - it can be done whether federated or not, and has been done for decades!
Falling numbers in the future? Thought they were actually going UP? Certainly infant class sizes are getting larger. For decades the pattern in Lincolnshire was for parents to move to villages when their children were of primary age, and to move into towns when their children were secondary age. The current housing crisis might have temporarily slowed down that long-term traditional practice, but it will be only temporary.
Strange policy for a rural county!”
by Frank O'Fyle, France
Thursday, May 14 2009, 12:52PM
“Erm ... so you need federating to share ideas, or to share the cost of school visits? Can't see the logic there - it can be done whether federated or not, and has been done for decades!
Falling numbers in the future? Thought they were actually going UP? Certainly infant class sizes are getting larger. For decades the pattern in Lincolnshire was for parents to move to villages when their children were of primary age, and to move into towns when their children were secondary age. The current housing crisis might have temporarily slowed down that long-term traditional practice, but it will be only temporary.
Strange policy for a rural county.”