Schools Minister David Laws has written to West Worcestershire MP Harriett
Baldwin saying that any change ‘where the majority of parents are
strongly opposed’ will not be approved nor will any proposal which
disrupts the educational provision for a whole area.
Pershore School governors launched a consultation process last month
to investigate a plan to expand the school to take pupils at year
seven from as early as next year.
Concerned parents have written to Harriett regarding the proposals and
these comments have all been fed into the consultation.
Harriett last month wrote to the Department for Education to seek
clarification on the process which the school was considering.
The Minister confirmed that the school must complete a formal
consultation – which usually takes two academic years - before seeking
to expand the school’s intake and must secure the support of local
parents, local stakeholders, other schools in the pyramid and the
local authority.
Harriett commented: “I am grateful for the parents who have contacted
me and everyone who has already participated in the consultation to
get the widest possible views.
“I have also met with both the local middle school heads and Pershore
High School’s head to discuss this matter.
“I will be passing the advice from the Minister to everyone who has
contacted me about this issue.”