Ixworth Middle School

Walsham Road, Ixworth, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2HS Telephone: (01359) 230387 Fax: (01359) 231595 Email: ad.ixworth.m@talk21.com www.ixworthmiddleschool.org Headteacher: Mrs Glenice Francis, MA Deputy Headteacher: Mrs Jacqueline Rozier, BA Assistant Headteacher: Mr Peter Lambillion-Jameson B.Phil Assistant Headteacher: Mrs Sally Taggart, B.Ed.

October 2012 Dear Parents/Carers School Re-organisation Update Over the last few weeks, I have met with a large number of parents and have been asked questions about what is happening with regard to School Re-organisation in this pyramid. I hope the following is useful in providing some clarification and some answers to parents questions. When is Ixworth Middle School due to close? This school is due to close in July 2014 which means that pupils in our current Years 5, 6 and 7 will need to move to a new school in September 2014. What is happening to the Ixworth Middle School site? During the consultation period, in the Autumn Term 2011, a group of parents were keen to establish a new secondary school here. The only option available was a Free School as this would trigger funding from the Government to refurbish the school for the new age range. Unfortunately the Local Authority was not able to fund this initiative as it was not costed into the re-organisation of the Thurston Pyramid. The parent group approached a number of providers with whom they might work in order to submit a bid to the Department for Education. The parents liaised with both the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and the Seckford Foundation. The Diocese did not display a firm interest whereas the Seckford Foundation were keen to open a Free School as part of a family of schools in Suffolk in 2014. The parent group has been working with the Seckford Foundation since February 2012 so that parents of Years 5, 6 and 7 pupils can choose between Ixworth Free School and Thurston Community College. Approximately two weeks ago we learned that the Diocese, together with some of the Thurston Partnership Schools (Thurston Community College and Church of England primaries), also now wish to open a secondary school on this site in 2014. Is the proposed Free School, led by the Diocese/Thurston Partnership, the same as Thurston Community College? It is true to say that there is some alignment with Thurston Community College although the extent of this is not yet clear. Forthcoming meetings, detailed at the end of my letter, will no doubt provide this information. Will a Free School definitely open with the Seckford bid? This is entirely a government decision which hinges on parents wanting a secondary school on this site and declaring an interest. Seckford has already opened two free schools in Suffolk as a result of successful bids. Cont..

Suffolk County Council

Cont. Will a Free School definitely open with the Diocese/Thurston Partnership bid? Again, this is linked to parental demand and sufficient interest will need to be shown in order for this to proceed. I am not aware of any secondary Free School that has been supported by the Diocese although some church schools have converted to Academies successfully. How can an interest be registered? Parents will be able to complete a form at the meetings listed below. Can an interest be registered for both Free School bids? Parents are able to complete the form for both proposals although two forms will need to be completed. What will happen if there is insufficient parent interest in establishing a free school on the Ixworth site? At the point of closure, parents will not be offered any choice of secondary education. All pupils will transfer to Thurston Community College which will be organised over two sites to include the former site of Beyton Middle School. The anticipated roll would be 2,200 pupils. Parents of pupils in our current Year 7 only would have the option of attending other local 13-18 schools in Bury St Edmunds although no transport would be provided. How can more information be gained? Meetings are scheduled as follows and parents are strongly encouraged to attend these in order to make an informed choice about their childs future education.

Diocese/Thurston Partnership Free School Bid Meetings. Tuesday, 27 November at 7pm Ixworth Village Hall. Wednesday, 28 November at 7pm Blackbourne Middle School. Monday, 3 December at 7pm Woolpit Primary School.

Seckford Free School Bid Meetings. Thursday, 15 November at 7pm Ixworth Middle School. Saturday, 17 November - 9.15am -12.15pm (Drop-in) at Ixworth Middle School. Thursday, 29 November at 7pm Blackbourne Middle School. Thursday, 6 December 3.00pm -7.00pm (Dropin) at Ixworth Middle School. Website: www.ixworthfreeschool.co.uk

Website: To be confirmed.

Parents also need to be aware that there is a Parents Information Evening at Thurston Community College on Monday 19 November, at 7pm, to discuss the utilisation of the Thurston and Beyton campuses should a Free School be set up on the Ixworth site. Website: www.thurston.org.uk Please contact me if you need any further information. I will aim to keep all parents updated on any developments regarding the Free School proposals. Yours sincerely Mrs G Francis Headteacher

Suffolk County Council