Shake-up to change age ranges at city schools

PRIMARY schools in the Horsforh area of Leeds are to be reorganised so that junior and infant classes take place on the same sites.

Councillors have confirmed that Horsforth Newlaithes Junior School and Horsforth Featherbank Infant School will be changed into all-age primaries – from for four to 11-year-olds – from September next year.

Newlaithes currently teaches seven to 11-year-olds, while Featherbank is for four to sevens.

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Changing the age ranges will provide an extra 30 reception year places to help meet the increasing demand caused by a rising birth rate and migration to the city.

This week, members of the council's executive board backed the proposals.

Yesterday, ward councillors Andy Barker, Brian Cleasby and Chris Townsley (all Lib Dem, Horsforth) welcomed the confirmation that staff and pupils at Featherbank Infant and Newlaithes Junior schools would be clearer about the future.

Councillor Barker said: "This decision will give the two school communities some much needed certainty about their future. Both Featherbank and Newlaithes schools have absolutely fantastic staff who I know will ensure that the transfer to primary status is as smooth as possible.

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Coun Cleasby said: "This should actually make life simpler for parents who currently have to dash between two sites to pick up their children."

Coun Chris Townsley added: "It is vital that we make sure there are long term plans in place to cope with the growing pre-school population."

Leeds education chiefs have been accused of being caught off-guard by the demand for more places, as the equivalent of 26 of the city's primary schools have been closed over the past eight years.

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