School’s primary topic
South West Beds MP Andrew Selous opened a superb new ICT suite at Ashton Middle School last autumn.
Governors at a Dunstable middle school have announced consultation on plans to change its pupil age range – to become a primary school.
The change would mean that Ashton Middle School would have a pupil intake of children aged from four to 11, from September 2014.
Middle schools cater for pupils aged from nine to 13.
Now the Church of England school, in High Street North, will hold a meeting for all stakeholders, including parents of prospective pupils, at 7pm on Tuesday, March 19.
Meanwhile, the school has pledged to see this year’s intake through to Year 8 if that is what parents choose.
Acting head Lesley Phillips says the school would have a unique appeal as a primary, with its staff and its history as a middle school.
Mrs Phillips said: “We will be able to offer a full range of subjects to all pupils, who will reap the benefit of being taught by teachers with expertise in their subjects in dedicated teaching rooms.”
She said the specialisms offered by middle schools to their pupils would be offered to pupils aged four to 11.
And she added: “This is our passion and our promise.”
Ashton Middle was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2012, and was described as “satisfactory and improving”.
The school says its innovative provision and care for vulnerable pupils will not change, nor will its Church of England ethos. It would like to see improved opportunities for schools to co-operate during the current education system changes in the area.
The Rev Richard Andrews, Rector of Dunstable and chairman of the Ashton Schools Foundation, said: “As the Ashton schools adapt to a two-tier structure with transition at 11, they will have the greatest chance of success if they maintain their distinctive Christian ethos and develop their strengths for the benefit of children’s education and the wider community.”
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Weather for Luton
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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