The school is making changes after announcing a merger, raising concerns among parents and the community about the future.
Gloucester: Big changes are coming to local schools. Just weeks after a consultation about merging two schools, another one has popped up. This time, the governing body is sharing plans for the early years department if the merger goes through.
Greenshaw Learning Trust took over Moat Primary Academy and Robinswood Primary Academy last November. A year later, they proposed merging the two schools, which upset many parents at Moat Primary.
They plan to close Moat Primary, and kids there might have to apply to Robinswood. Some folks think the decision to close Moat has already been made for 2025 or 2026.
In a letter dated January 14, 2025, Will Smith, the CEO of Greenshaw Trust, thanked parents for their feedback. He shared that they want to extend the age range at Robinswood to include kids from age 2, instead of just 3.
This change means Robinswood would cater to kids aged 2-11, matching what Moat Primary currently offers. They believe this will help kids transition smoothly into primary education.
Smith highlighted the benefits, like better early years education and support for families. They’re inviting everyone to share their thoughts during the consultation period from January 14 to February 4, 2025.
Parents can send their feedback in writing to either school’s office. They’re encouraged to participate and ask questions, especially if they have specific concerns.
However, local councillor Alastair Chambers feels the consultation is just a formality. He’s worried that the decision has already been made without proper communication.
Chambers has asked for transparency from Greenshaw about their talks with the Department for Education. He’s also requested minutes from the initial meetings, but hasn’t seen anything yet.
He’s disappointed with the vague responses parents received during the first consultation. Many questions remain unanswered, and he believes parents deserve clear answers.
Chambers urges everyone to email both schools to ensure all questions are acknowledged. He also wants clarity on traffic issues that could arise from the merger.
He hopes Greenshaw will be more open about the process. So far, there’s been too much secrecy, and he believes they owe it to the community to be transparent.
