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New Independent Policy Commission Report: Primary School Organisation in Shropshire
We welcome the Independent Policy Commission's new report on Primary School Organisation in Shropshire. The Independent Policy Commission has investigated how to secure a sustainable network of schools in the county, by considering the many issues surrounding education in Shropshire.
We're pleased that this report considers the issues around rural schools in particular. The report highlights a number of key recommendations for Shropshire Council. In a rural context we fully endorse these, including:
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taking a leadership role in actively promoting the development of federations and other collaborative approaches to school organisation
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reviewing the case for further amalgamations of primary schools where there is support for this to happen among parents, governors, head teachers and teachers
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primary schools in Shropshire should develop programmes for active community use of facilities, to develop the potential of the extended schools concept, and explore the possibility of using rural schools to deliver other services.
The Independent Policy Commission also recommends that the DCSF should, when reviewing its national funding arrangements for schools, ensure that any new formula or allocation mechanism should fully recognise the needs of councils with small schools in rural areas.
We’re also pleased that following our submission of evidence the Independent Policy Commission has recommended that we should commission in depth social research on the tangible benefits to rural communities of village schools.
We're keen to examine the impact of school closures on rural communities, and the important role that rural schools can contribute to the social and economic vitality of rural communities. We're exploring how we can take this formal request forward with DCSF and other key stakeholders.
We're also keen to include your ideas and evidence to this research. Leave a comment on this page or email info@ruralcommunities.gov.uk to contribute
Visit the Independent Policy Commission’s website to find out more and download their report
