Merger of schools is set to be axed after U-turn

THE PROPOSED merger of two Harrogate primary schools looks set to be scrapped after one school pulled out of the plans.

Woodfield Primary School and Grove Road Primary School were due to become one in September after an agreement between both governing bodies.

However, Grove Road has now withdrawn its support for the move which it said “carries risk” for the future of the school.

The governing body said: “During the consultation period we have monitored factors such as the level of support for the proposal and the likely demand for school places.

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

The U-turn now raises questions over the future of Woodfield, which failed to find an academy sponsor after being judged inadequate by Ofsted in 2020.

Inspectors had said pupils at the school were being “let down” by poor leadership and that “too many pupils” under-achieved.

After the merger plans were revealed, several parents raised objections with one saying: “Woodfield School’s problems should not become Grove Road’s problems.”

North Yorkshire County Council – which was overseeing the merger – said it would work with the Department for Education and governors at Woodfield to “reconsider the position for the school over the coming weeks.”

The school’s governing body also said: ‘’We are saddened to hear about Grove Road’s decision to withdraw support for the amalgamation.”