Leeds primary's concerns over '˜black hole' plan

Goodwill over support for attempts to fill a primary school places '˜black hole' is in danger of being eroded, a headteacher has warned.
CAMPAIGN: Parents at Moor Allerton Hall opposed to the plans.CAMPAIGN: Parents at Moor Allerton Hall opposed to the plans.
CAMPAIGN: Parents at Moor Allerton Hall opposed to the plans.

Leeds City Council is consulting on proposals to make Moor Allerton Hall Primary School and the nearby Allerton Grange School an all-through school on one combined site.

Now the headteacher and governors at a third school have written to the authority amid concerns over the scheme.

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Questioning a “lack of dialogue” despite assurances 
they would be consulted, 
they said the announcement over the plans was made without the knowledge of local schools.

“Like many other schools we take our duty to discuss options very seriously, yet were not consulted on the feasibility of this proposal, nor involved in discussions as to the potential impact such outcomes would have on the local community,” said headteacher at Talbot Primary, Parm Gill, and chair of governors John England.

“Much of the goodwill schools have shown over the past few years in supporting the local authority regarding capacity and sufficiency is 
in danger of being eroded again.”

Further concerns were raised over site feasibility, and over how capacity can be built within nearby secondary schools to meet demand.

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Andrew Eastwood, chief officer for Learning Improvement said work was underway.

“This is a genuine consultation,” he said. “This part of the consultation process is still ongoing so there’s still time for us to have some quality conversations with those involved.”

Schools in the Roundhay area have been incredibly helpful in recent years, he said, adding: “This is an opportunity to deliver stability for the schools in the area and the parents and children they serve.”