THE HEADTEACHERS of two middle schools in Droitwich have spoken of the overwhelming support they have received from parents about keeping the year sevens at their schools.
The comments from Cath Crossley from Witton and Donna Evans from Westacre came after three consultation evenings last week at Droitwich High School on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (January 19, 20 and 21).
The Standard reported earlier this month how a consultation was under way after Droitwich Spa High expressed an interest in introducing a year seven to its school.
Mrs Crossley said: “We have received a lot of supportive messages from parents who are overwhelmingly saying they want us to keep our year seven.
“That is what our governing body has advised and that’s what the parents want so that is what we are doing.
“Parents recognise we offer a high quality education for year sevens and they parents deserve the choice to send their children here.”
And she claimed the only people in favour of Droitwich Spa High having a year seven were people connected to the high school.
Mrs Evans echoed Mrs Crossley’s comments and said Westacre’s governing body had met to discuss the issue and had also advised the middle school to keep its year seven.
“We feel the year seven children thrive in the middle school environment and we are not prepared to let them go.
“This plan is purely from the high school which is acting in its own interests rather than the interests of everyone else in the town.
“Consultations are all about dialogue and we have had a lot of vocal support from parents who want to keep the year sevens in the middle schools.”
Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “We understand this is an important issue for parents and the council is liaising closely with the school during the consultations.
“The county council will send a response, taking into account all the information available and our statutory responsibilities.”
The consultation on the issue runs until February 27.
Visit www.droitwichspahigh.worcs.sch.uk for more information on the consultation and email [email protected] to have you say on the issue.
The Standard contacted Droitwich Spa High School yesterday but no-one was available for comment at the time of going to press.
