Controversial plans for two-tier schools system ‘well under way’

County hall chiefs say work is well under way on controversial proposals to change to a two-tier system of education in North Craven as part of a schools shake-up.

Ingleton Middle School and Settle Middle School will shut their doors at the end of the summer term as part of the proposals to reorganise school provision in the area – moving away from three tier arrangements.

Under the current system, children transfer twice, from primary to middle school at age 10 and then to Settle College at age 13.

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The new system will reduce the number of times children need to change schools and bring North Craven into line with the rest of North Yorkshire and most of the country.

It is also designed to fit in with primary and secondary curriculum key stages, says North Yorkshire County Council.

Yesterday the authority said the final touches are now being made to proposals which will come into place this September.

The closure plans, which have already been agreed, met with criticism from parents who argued it was hugely beneficial to be able to offer pupils a stepping stone between primary school and Settle College.

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Under the new system children will remain at primary school until the age of 11 and then transfer only once, to a single school based on the current Settle Middle and Settle College sites which would serve youngsters aged from 11 to 18.

Education for young people over the age of 16 will be provided by Settle College with other local educational providers.

Almost £2m of improvements are being made to the Settle College and Settle Middle School sites to enable them to work well together as a single campus.

This includes improvements to the underpass link between the two sites, improvements to classrooms, including state-of-the-art science laboratories and a completely revamped library and resource centre.

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A new classroom is also being provided at Settle Primary School to enable it to accommodate extra pupils.

County Councillor, Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools said: “This major investment by the county council will help to create an excellent learning environment as Settle College caters for more young people across North Craven.”

The county council has said the proposals aim to address long-standing concerns about falling pupil numbers, the financial viability of schools and ensuring the breadth and quality of the education on offer to children and young people across the area for the future.

As the changes draw closer, a number of events have been held at Settle College in order to support children through the transition. Maths, music and technology days have given middle school pupils the chance to work in a larger setting and to meet some of Settle College’s sixth formers who were on hand to give support.

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Mike Kaye, Ingleton Middle School’s current headteacher said: “We have consulted with all involved – children, teachers and parents – about what needs to be included in the transition process because we have to be clear that the children’s needs in this process are the top priority for all of us.”

Mr Kaye has been appointed assistant principal at Settle College and will be spending time in both schools in the coming weeks as part of the move to the new arrangements.

The Ingleton Middle School site will be disposed of either for alternative community provision or commercially if no viable community proposal comes forward – in which case it is hoped that any capital would be able to be reinvested in schools in the area. Playing fields at Ingleton will be retained by the adjacent primary school to secure their use for the local community.