Plans to join two schools as single ‘primary campus’ move a step closer

Pupils and their families at Hendre Junior and Hendre Infants schools will soon be consulted on amalgamation plans.

Caerphilly County Borough Council is preparing to launch a consultation with the school communities on a proposal to create a new primary school.

If approved, the two sites will both remain open but function as a single primary school campus operating on either side of St Cenydd Road, Caerphilly.

The two schools already share a headteacher.

The council said previously the two schools have been “working in collaboration for a number of years” and their amalgamation would promote “closer working relationships”.

A “consistent vision and ethos” and more effective use of resources are among the advantages promoted by the council, which believes an amalgamation is in “the best interests of the school, pupils and wider community”.

Pupils and school councils will be invited to take part in the consultation, as well as parents, staff, local councillors and Welsh inspection agency Estyn.

Joining the schools together “provides an environment where children can work and play together over a longer period of time developing a greater understanding and appreciation of one another’s diverse strengths, skills and personalities”, the council said in a new report on the proposals.

The council also claims the move could have “specific benefits for staff”.

Caerphilly Council’s education committee is expected to meet next week to share its views on the amalgamation plan.

The public consultation on the proposals is scheduled to begin on September 2 and end on October 15.