TWO Taunton schools could close to make way for a £multi-million Church-sponsored academy.
Ladymead Community School and The St Augustine of Canterbury School would be replaced by The North Taunton Academy.
Governors back moves by Somerset County Council and the Anglican and RC Churches to formally express an interest.
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Studies are underway to decide where the academy would be, but cash from the sale of existing schools would be ploughed into the project.
Pupils from the two schools would attend the new independent state school.
Somerset College would like to be "a significant partner".
Ladymead head teacher Mark Trusson said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the development of education in Taunton.
"The financial investment and resources, coupled with the many opportunities an academy will bring, will ensure the children of Taunton receive the absolute best."
St Augustine's head Gail Crees said: "The governors and staff are delighted with the proposal - it's a real opportunity for the children and families of Taunton."
The academy would be funded by the Department for Communities, Schools and Families.
The Government initially backed plans for a Taunton academy, then changed its mind.
It was reinstated after Taunton MP Jeremy Browne spoke with Schools Minister Lord Adonis.
Mr Browne said: "The time I spent persuading him to reinstate the North Taunton Academy could prove to be the most important half hour I've spent as Taunton's MP."
He added that St Augustine's future was uncertain because of falling pupil numbers, while there is "scope for higher academic achievement at Ladymead".
"My primary concern is the educational prospects for children living in north Taunton," said Mr Browne.
"Better buildings and extra investment will help staff motivation and retention at the same time as benefiting the students."
While it is good to see investment in new schools how would a new much larger school with the a much larger number of pupils cope with the issues below:
1) How would the issue of bullying be dealt with when such large numbers of pupils could be involved?
2) How would children with special needs be handled?
3) If the new school did not to have a larger number of pupils than either of the two schools on their own then where would the surplus of children go?
4) Would classroom sizes be increased?
While it is good to see investment in new schools how would a new much larger school with the a much larger number of pupils cope with the issues below:
1) How would the issue of bullying be dealt with when such large numbers of pupils could be involved?
2) How would children with special needs be handled?
3) If the new school did not to have a larger number of pupils than either of the two schools on their own then where would the surplus of children go?
4) Would classroom sizes be increased?
As a former student of st augustines of canterbury school, i personally dont think that you should shut the schools down as lot of effort has gone in to making that school a better place and clossing it would be a massive mistake. i have a symbling present there who has special needs there and they are fantastic with him and looking found the other schools with my parents we wanted him to have the best eduction for him and st augustines are giving him that.haven seen bullying i know that if there is a bigger school the bullying will defently increase and i cant see this move to be a good move and children actually losing education from this.
As a former student of st augustines of canterbury school, i personally dont think that you should shut the schools down as lot of effort has gone in to making that school a better place and clossing it would be a massive mistake. i have a symbling present there who has special needs there and they are fantastic with him and looking found the other schools with my parents we wanted him to have the best eduction for him and st augustines are giving him that.haven seen bullying i know that if there is a bigger school the bullying will defently increase and i cant see this move to be a good move and children actually losing education from this.
Posted by: anonymous, Taunton on 6:18pm Sat 10 May 08
I think what people are failing to recognise is that the proposal is for an academy, not another run of the mill school.
The possibilities that come with this are very exciting.
Bullying will not 'definitely increase', children will be educated in different way, aimed at progressing them as people rather than helping them pass exams.
This proposal if it is successful can ONLY be positive for the priorswood area.
I think what people are failing to recognise is that the proposal is for an academy, not another run of the mill school.
The possibilities that come with this are very exciting.
Bullying will not 'definitely increase', children will be educated in different way, aimed at progressing them as people rather than helping them pass exams.
This proposal if it is successful can ONLY be positive for the priorswood area.
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