Governors say no to Ifton Heath and Rhyn Park school merger

Governors at two Shropshire schools being considered for merger plans under an education shake-up in the county have voted against becoming a combined body.

Shropshire Council had announced plans to join Rhyn Park, in St Martins, and Ifton Heath Primary School together ­to create Shropshire's first all-through-school.

The merger is one option from the unitary council in a shake-up of education which may close nine schools.

But governors of Ifton Heath Primary School, in St Martins, have said although they are "committed to work with Rhyn Park School" they did not want the governing bodies combined.

Ifton Heath Primary School officials held an extraordinary governors' meeting to discuss federating the governing body and the possibility of inviting other interested primary schools to consider joining a federated arrangement.

But the motions were unanimously rejected.

A statement from the governors claims it was because they were "acting in the best interests of the pupils".

It reads: "The federation of the governing bodies would no longer allow us to focus solely on the best interests of our own pupils."

Factors influencing the decision included financial, timescale and leadership of Rhyn Park School.

The statement reads: "Our comprehensive consultation with our parents, our staff and the community at large shows no support for the current proposal.

"Governors stressed, however, that they remain committed to exploring with others the best sustainable educational provision in the St Martins area.

"Governors remain committed to work with Rhyn Park School, the council and other interested parties to achieve this end."

Nicola Bradley, Ifton Heath headteacher, said: "We are committed to look at alternatives for the future of education. We have other meetings planned."

Meanwhile, teenagers from Rhyn Park today issued an invitation to parents against the plans.

The students say they want to show doubting parents around their school to prove what it has to offer.

They say they have been hurt by derogatory comments made by some critics of Shropshire Council's proposals.

By Sue Austin