Consultation
A period of consultation was announced on 17 June 2022 on the proposal to amalgamate Moss Park Infant and Junior Schools by closing Moss Park Infant School and expanding the age range at Moss Park Junior School from the current 7 to 11 years, to 3 to 11 years.
We invited all interested parties to take part in shaping the proposal with an opportunity to submit comments and ideas for consideration. Information was sent to all parents and staff members, and the proposal was announced on our digital channels.
A meeting for staff and union representatives was held at each school on 28 and 29 June 2022. Meetings for parents and carers were held on 18 July, in person at the school and also online.
The headteachers of both schools were present at the face-to-face and online parent meetings, and the junior headteacher led an informal meeting with the infant school staff, where she answered a range of questions that had already been submitted by staff and parents. The senior leadership teams of both schools have worked together with us to respond to questions and concerns raised in the consultation period.
We received 75 responses to the consultation:
- 34 consultees stated they did not support the proposal – 14 parents and 20 staff members from the Infant School (13 did so anonymously). Of these, 1 consultee did not leave a comment.
- 28 consultees stated they supported the proposal to amalgamate the two schools – the Junior School governing body, 4 governors, 15 parents and 8 staff members from the Junior School. Of these, 6 consultees did not leave a comment.
- 13 consultees stated they were ‘not sure’ if they supported the proposal and submitted questions or comments – Infant School governing body, 1 governor, 5 parents and 7 staff members from the Infant School (5 did so anonymously).
We responded directly to every consultee, with the exception of responses that were submitted anonymously.
We have carefully considered all the comments submitted, with a particular focus on concerns raised around school budgets. The original proposed implementation date was January 2023.
In light of these comments, a decision has been taken to proceed to the next stage of the process, but with a revised implementation date of April 2023. This offers extended protection for the lump sum element within the school budget.
Full proposal and statutory notice
The next stage of the process was publication of a statutory notice on 3 November 2022, which started a four-week period of representation during which time stakeholders were invited to object to the proposal or make comments. Details of the full proposal are as follows.
1. Summary of this proposal
The proposal is to amalgamate Moss Park Infant School and Moss Park Junior School. It is proposed that this will be achieved by closing Moss Park Infant School and simultaneously extending the age range at Moss Park Junior School from the current 7 to 11 years to 3 to 11 years. Therefore, it is proposed that the Headteacher of Moss Park Junior School will become the Headteacher of Moss Park Primary School.
The reason this method of amalgamation is being proposed is that, from September 2022, there is a vacancy in the headship of Moss Park Infant School. When a Headteacher position at either an infant or junior school becomes vacant, we consider if the site can be effectively managed as one school and if the buildings can be adapted to meet the needs of an amalgamated school at an acceptable cost, should this be required. If this is the case, then we commence a period of informal consultation on a proposal to amalgamate.
It is proposed that the two schools would form an amalgamated primary school from January 2023.
2. School Vision - One School, One Family, One Vision
This is the initial vision developed by the schools:
Our vision is to create an outstanding 3-11 primary school for our community - a school where all pupils and staff can thrive, feel happy and cared for, included and celebrated throughout their primary school years.
Our situation is unusual in that we have two great schools on one site - both operating independently of each other. We have two distinct groups of talented staff who currently don't have the opportunity to share their best practice.
Just imagine the simplicity of one set of school policies, one uniform, one method of communication, and one calendar of events for siblings! It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
One School
- One point of contact via the school office and one method of communication
- One uniform all the way through to pass between siblings and friends
- One set of policies for our families - attendance, behaviour, inclusion etc.
- One calendar of special days for charity, own clothes days, cultural events and celebrations
- One educational journey from 3 -11 with no bumps or big transitions from KS1 to KS2
- One extensive site with fantastic outdoor spaces and specialist classrooms, creating more opportunities for the children in areas such as sport, the arts, and environmental science
One Family
- A shared identity and sense of belonging for siblings and families
- One large pool of talented staff to make sure your child gets the best education available
- Teachers who can gain experience across the age ranges, which is great for professional development, job satisfaction and teacher retention
- One professional to support children with SEND throughout their primary years
- Opportunities for pupil leadership across the school (playground, reading buddies, sports activities)
- One link family and parent lead, to support with attendance, early help, parent groups, community events, and outreach work
- The opportunity to develop outdoor learning across the whole primary school
- A dynamic whole school approach to digital learning to ensure all pupils leave school with the skills and knowledge to navigate and succeed in a technology-driven world
One Vision
- One set of shared goals with everyone working together in one 'super team'
- A set of school values, formed by merging our strikingly similar core values Learn, Respect, Achieve and Learn, Love, Laugh, that are understood and lived out by all
- A fantastic opportunity to work together with our cross-school consultant to create our vision and values within the context of a rights-respecting school ethos
- One strong, unified staff team to drive improvements forward together so that everyone can achieve and everyone can succeed
By sharing the expertise that already exists within both teams and continuing to develop opportunities for the staff, we will ensure that all our children continue to be the heartbeat of the school and that they will continue to develop and grow as lifelong learners. We will take the best features of both schools and learn from each other.
We will use the transition period to consult all of our pupils, staff, governors, and parents, as well as community partners, to enable this vision to evolve.
3. The advantages of amalgamation
We have a long-standing strategic aim to amalgamate separate infant and junior schools where this is possible.
The amalgamation of the two phases, infant and junior, will mean the school can develop a clear vision that is shared and understood by all. It will provide opportunities for the development of the curriculum and improve the way it is delivered. While both schools are already committed to working together and making transitional links, the amalgamation will provide a seamless curriculum that is broad, balanced, and demonstrates clear continuity and progression in learning. It will increase opportunities for further curriculum enrichment and extra-curricular activities.
The amalgamation will enable the better use of educational resources, including teaching and non-teaching staff. In terms of management and administration, it will avoid duplicating work.
Having one governing body to drive the school's strategic planning and monitor the whole school development will ensure robust accountability.
The amalgamation will provide a single school at the heart of the local community, offering a consistent vision and ethos, bringing about benefits for children, staff, parents, and carers.
Benefits for children
Amalgamation will improve continuity and progression for children's learning, along with an increased ability to track long-term attainment and progress. It will provide a consistent approach to their learning, which will follow them all through their time at the school and help them to understand their place within the school family.
Within a single primary school, all children - younger and older - will have the opportunity to share the outcomes of their learning. The primary school will provide a nurturing environment where children from a wider age range can work and play together over a longer period of time, developing a greater understanding and appreciation of one another's diverse strengths, skills, and personalities. This experience has been shown to have a positive impact on social skills, problem-solving, and relationship development.
The transition from Year 2 to 3, from infants to juniors, will be smoother for pupils and their families. This will promote an increase in feelings of stability, security, and confidence because the children are all in the same school.
The amalgamated school will provide greater continuity for all children, including the most vulnerable children, such as those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and allow children to continue to pursue their chosen areas of interest over time.
The introduction of consistent approaches to inclusion, well-being, and behaviour management strategies across all ages would result in clear expectations and a shared ethos that is understood by children, parents, and carers throughout the primary and early years stages.
Benefits for parents and carers
The amalgamation will lead to the establishment of more consistent engagement with parents and carers as it gives the ability to foster longer-term family relationships within one school, thereby helping to better understand the needs of each child. A close working partnership between school and home has been shown to have a strong, positive impact on children's learning.
An amalgamated school will simplify communication between the school and parents, especially for parents with children in both schools. It will remove duplication and ensure a more cohesive approach for planning events.
Parents will only need to familiarise themselves with one set of policies and procedures.
The amalgamated school will enable even stronger partnerships between school and parents with a shared understanding of aspirations and expectations for teaching and learning.
Benefits for staff
A single primary school will offer increased opportunities for existing staff to develop their professional interests and skills. It will also assist in the recruitment and retention of staff by providing greater professional opportunities.
The amalgamation will provide opportunities to increase the range of expertise and experience of teaching staff. It will also allow staff to join together and share their expertise on specific areas and projects, which will strengthen staff knowledge of the full primary age range and increase the effectiveness of what we deliver.
The staff will have more resources and space at their disposal to support curriculum planning and delivery, and enrichment activities.
4. Human resources
The proposal is to discontinue Moss Park Infant School and to expand the age range of Moss Park Junior School to enable it to accommodate the displaced pupils and become Moss Park Primary School. The Junior School would retain its original school number as it is not a new school, even if its name has changed. Therefore, it is proposed that the Headteacher of Moss Park Junior School will become the Headteacher of Moss Park Primary School.
Both schools are community schools, which means that Trafford Council is the employer of all staff. There are no proposed changes to this; Trafford Council will remain the employer of all staff, and there are therefore no TUPE implications. Staff terms and conditions will remain the same. Other than the removal of one Headteacher position, there are no proposed changes to the staffing structure within this amalgamation proposal.
Support is available to staff throughout this process from their Line Manager and also the Trade Unions. Counselling support is available through the school's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
5. Financial implications
Revenue
The proposed amalgamation will reduce the overall cost to the Dedicated Schools Grant, which will result in an adjustment through the funding formula, meaning there is no impact to Council's revenue budgets.
Each school currently receives a lump sum allocation as part of the delegated Schools' budget.
This illustration is based on the 2022/23 schools' operational guidance and uses the 2022/23 lump sum amount of £121,962 per school.
For the 2023/24 financial year, the schools will receive £243,924 (2x lump sums) between them. This will be broken down as follows:
| Infant School | £91.472 | (£121,962 x 9/12 April to December) |
| Junior School | £91.472 | (£121,962 x 9/12 April to December) |
| Primary School | £60,980 | (£243,924 x 3/12 January to March) |
| Total | £243,924 |
For the 2024/25 financial year, the primary school will receive £207,335. This is the equivalent of 85% of the predecessor schools' lump sums, calculated as follows:
| Primary School | £121,962 | |
| Additional Payment | £85,373 | Calculated as ((£121,962 x 2) x 85%) - £121,962 |
| Total | £207,335 |
The local authority can also apply to provide a second year of protection. The most recent application to ESFA recommended by the Schools Funding sought 60% lump sum protection in the second year. The ESFA considers applications on a case-by-case basis.
PE and sport premium
PE and sport premium is calculated and allocated annually by the DfE. It is currently calculated so that schools with 17 or more eligible pupils receive £16,000 plus an additional payment of £10 per pupil.
As a result of this proposal, Moss Park Primary School would be allocated a £16,000 lump sum and a £10 per pupil allocation based on the number on roll. This represents an overall reduction of £16,000, as previously both the Infant and Junior Schools received a lump sum amount.
Revenue savings
An amalgamated primary school will achieve savings in the following areas:
- reduction in Headteacher salary costs
- one purchase of certain services rather than two, such as governor support and human resources
Capital
Devolved formula capital (DFC) allocation
DFC is allocated to schools annually by the DfE using a formula. Each school is allocated a lump sum of £4,000 and an amount per pupil based on the phase of education.
As a result of this proposal, Moss Park Primary School would be allocated a £4,000 lump sum and a per-pupil allocation based on the number on roll. This represents an overall reduction of £4,000, as previously both the Infant and Junior Schools received a lump sum amount.
Schools' condition allocation (SCA)
SCA is allocated to the local authority annually by the DfE. Our School Asset Management Plan information, combined with Area Surveyor knowledge, is used to prioritise and allocate this funding on an annual basis. The funding process for allocating SCA for condition improvements for school buildings will remain unchanged as a result of this proposal. There is no SCA funding linked with this proposal.
Basic need funding
Basic Need funding is calculated and allocated to the local authority annually by the DfE. This funding is for the creation of additional school places. This amalgamation proposal does not include an expansion of pupil number and, therefore, is not eligible for basic need funding.
6. The consultation process
The first stage in the process is consultation with interested parties. These are:
- the governing bodies of both schools
- families of pupils at both schools
- teachers and other staff at both schools
- any other local authority likely to be affected by the proposals, in particular neighbouring authorities where there may be significant cross-border movement of pupils
- the governing bodies, teachers, and other staff of any other school that may be affected
- families of any pupils at any other school who may be affected by the proposals
- any trade unions that represent staff at the school; and representatives of any trade union of any other staff at schools who may be affected by the proposals
- MPs whose constituencies include the schools that are the subject of the proposals or whose constituents are likely to be affected by the proposals
- any other interested organisation or person that the proposer thinks is appropriate
We want the consultation period to provide enough time for everyone to express their views and for these views to be properly considered. Good practice is a period of 6 weeks, mainly within term time, from the date of the publication of the proposal.
The period of consultation is from 17 June 2022 until 28 July 2022. We will consider and respond to all comments and questions and post those comments and responses on our website.
At the end of the period of consultation, all the feedback will be included in a report to the Executive Member for consideration. If they take the decision to proceed to the next stage, we will publish a statutory notice of our intention to discontinue Moss Park Infant School and simultaneously extend the age range at Moss Park Junior School.
The publication of the notice would mark the start of a four-week representation period. Within one week of the publication of the statutory notice there is a requirement for us to publish a full proposal and provide a copy upon request to any interested party.
A copy of the full proposal will also be sent to the Department for Education (DfE) and to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA). This representation stage allows people to make comments.
At the end of the representation period, all the feedback will be included in a report to the Executive Member for Children's Services for a final decision.
Outcome and Final Decision
The final decision made by the Executive Member for Children's Services was to proceed with the amalgamation of the two schools with an implementation date of 1 April 2023.