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'.

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.