Closure of William Marshall Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Welney

Overview

The governing body at the William Marshall Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Welney has raised concerns about the future sustainability and financial viability of the school.  The school has 6 places available in each year group, but is regularly undersubscribed.  In September 2014, there were 24 pupils on roll, of whom 21 live in the catchment area.

Norfolk County Council with the agreement of the Diocese of Ely and the Governors of the School, is considering a proposal to close the William Marshall Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Welney from 31 August 2015.  

We will hold a public meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 19th May about the proposal and you can read the notes of this meeting (when available) by clicking on the link below.

We want to know what you think of our proposal. Please read our consultation document below which sets out our proposal in more detail, and then complete our online survey.

IT WAS AGREED AT THE PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 19 MAY TO EXTEND THE CONSULTATION PERIOD TO FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015.

Update 5 June 2015

Outcome of the Statutory Consultation on a proposal to close William Marshall Primary School in Welney

The extended consultation period on the above proposal ended on 29 May 2015.  Thank you to all those who responded.

A “Case against Closure” was submitted by the William Marshall Parents’ Committee.  The Director of Children’s Services has to give consideration to all the evidence before deciding to publish a formal proposal.

Officers from Norfolk County Council and the Ely Diocese will meet with representatives of the Parents’ Committee and school governors to examine their submission in more detail before any further action is taken by the Director of Children’s Services.

Update 30 June 2015

The “Case against Closure”submitted by the William Marshall Parents’ Committee will be examined in detail before any decision will be made to proceed to the next stage of the consultation process.

We are continuing to communicate with the Parents’ Committee, and a decision on whether or not to proceed with a formal proposal will not be made until the beginning of the autumn term.  William Marshall Primary School will therefore remain open to pupils for the Autumn Term 2015.

Parents, staff and governors have been informed by letter today, 30 June.

Update 10 September 2015

The Director of Children's Services has authorised the proposed closure of the William Marshall VC Primary School, Welney to move to the next stage. This decision follows the consultation process held earlier in the summer and takes into account the comments made at Children’s Services’ Committee on 12 May 2015.

As a result, a statutory Public Notice, giving notice of the County Council’s intention to close the school on 31 December 2015, will appear in the Lynn News on 18 September. A copy will be posted on the school entrance. 

The Notice will give details about how you can respond to the proposal during the four weeks immediately after publication of the notice. The four week period ends on 16 October 2015.

The Notice will also set out information about the school/schools to which children will transfer if the proposed closure is implemented

The final decision on the proposal will be made by the Director of Children’s Services at the end of the four week period.

Update 21 October 2015

The Executive Director of Children's Services has signed the determination notice to approve the proposal to close William Marshall Voluntary Controlled Primary School on 31 December 2015.