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THE FUTURE OF THE LITCHAM SCHOOLS

The governing bodies of Litcham High School and Litcham Primary School recently decided to merge into a single body.  A public meeting was held at the high school on 18 March to consider the background to that decision.  Those attending were a broad cross-section of stakeholders and interested individuals: parents; county, district and parish councillors; school governors; church representatives; teaching and support staff; representatives of other primary schools and members of the community.

The major challenges facing our schools, in the short and long term, were outlined.  Transformational change in the nature and organisation of education is taking place nationally and internationally, as societies try to prepare young people for the huge global shifts which are taking place.  Locally, we must continue to improve the quality of education, to ensure that our young people and rural communities are not left behind.  Over the next few years, schools will also have to cope with the impact of reduced government and local authority spending and the threat this may pose to the future of small primary and high schools.

In discussions about the current state of education locally, the close collaboration between the 10 schools and children’s centre in the Litcham Learning Community was noted as a particular strength.  This includes joint curriculum work; transition arrangements for pupils transferring from primary to high school and a shared business manager and catering provision.  Parents, in particular, clearly value the close contact they enjoy with schools and the feeling that their child is part of a caring and supportive community. 

A single governing body for the Litcham schools was seen as a first step in the process of creating an all-through school, educating children from 4 to 16.  The evidence from all-through schools elsewhere in England is that they can improve the quality of education through a more efficient use of resources, including teaching and support staff, finance and equipment.  Parents also appreciate the greater continuity of relationships and contact that follow.  In short, the challenges facing education are an opportunity for us to develop our own solutions to ensure that education survives and flourishes at the heart of our community.  While the immediate proposal involves Litcham Primary and Litcham High schools, it was emphasized that the door would be open to other schools in the Litcham Learning Community to join the federation. 

The next stage will be a formal consultation, before the governing bodies ratify their decision to merge.  Parents, staff and others directly involved in the two schools and Litcham Children’s Centre will receive a copy of the consultation document, as will councillors and representatives of other local bodies.  Any other member of the community is welcome to contribute and should contact either of the schools to request a copy of the consultation document. 

If you would like more information, please contact one of the headteachers.

      Jeremy Nicholls, Headteacher, Litcham High School

      Christine Watts,  Headteacher, Litcham Primary School

      May 2010

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