Decision details

The Governing Bodies of St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Infant School and St James' Church of England Junior School wish to consolidate their already close links with an amalgamation into one school.  The schools have well established existing ties and share the same site, with the schools only 4 metres apart at the closest point.  The schools share kitchen facilities and benefit from various cross-schools staff arrangements, including sharing the same Executive Headteacher.

The Governing Bodies of both schools have met with officers of Kent County Council (KCC) and agreed that amalgamation of the two schools to create an all-though primary school would be the natural progression for the schools, which will secure benefits for staff and pupils.

The proposal would amalgamate the two schools in order to create one all-through 630 place primary school for children aged 4 to 11 years from 1 September 2019.  The process of amalgamation will entail changing the age range of the Infant school to be a primary school and the closure of the Junior school. The all-through school will be in the existing accommodation of both schools.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education agrees to:

·         amalgamate St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Infant School and St James' Church of England Junior School, Sandrock Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3PR by 1 September 2019;

·         authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with General Counsel to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council; and

·         authorise the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.