We have been told the reason for amalgamating is to satisfy the governing boards “one school” vision. But this objective has already been achieved in practice.
- One Headteacher
- One governing board
- Aligned staff and curriculum
Patrick Martin (teacher & 
) – “Malorees already is one school in everything but name.”
Malorees is already committed to high quality teaching and learning for all pupils in a nurturing environment, with pupils’ educational outcomes benefitting from the continuity of education, and doesn’t need an amalgamation to improve on this.
Why fix what’s already working well?
- The currently approved DfE capital funding will rebuild the junior school and provide maintenance savings without an amalgamation.
- Covers rebuilding of Junior School
- Will reduce maintenance costs
- Delivers many of the claimed “benefits” of amalgamation
Crucially, it does this without requiring amalgamation or increased risk of loss of funding. In contrast, the amalgamated School would lose annual lump sum and sports premium grant, amounting to a £186,000 per year cut by 2028/29.
Why jeopardise financial stability, staffing, and child support for promises that faced by education institutions, the teachers, and the students. may never materialise?
Amalgamation guarantees a drop in funding. It risks:
- Staff redundancies
- Fewer teaching assistants
- Higher workload for remaining staff
- a decrease in wellbeing support for the children.
The financial “mitigations” offered are vague and unconvincing As one teacher warned: “We cannot endorse a voluntary cut of 5% or more in the hope of a capital scheme that’s not yet scoped, designed, budgeted or scheduled. ”</P
Council claims amalgamation will “unlock” more building investment. But it’s the councils responsibility to repair, refurbish or rebuild their buildings. The Junior School is already approved by DfE for a rebuild without amalgamation. However there is absolutely no indication if the Infant school will be rebuilt or simply refurbished – remember the Infant school was previously rejected by the DfE for a rebuild leaving the council responsible for repairs and refurbishment.
There is no rebuil dplan:
- ❌ – No confirmed budget
- ❌ – unreliable schedule
- ❌ – No detailed design
- Pupils will end up in temporary classrooms
- Prospective families may look elsewhere
- This would further reduce funding via falling enrolment
There are examples of similar amalgamations failing. Lyon Park Primary was amalgamated. What followed was dire financial consequences, shocking Ofsted reports, and major detrimental staff treatment.
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY – CLICK HERE
PLEASE SUBMIT REPRESENTATIONS AGAINST THE AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL – CLICK HERE
