A CONSULTATION has started on plans for Fordingbridge’s infant and junior schools to become a federation.

The schools would come under one new governing body and have an executive head teacher. They would also be able to “pool staff” and share resources, which the governors say will “improve leadership, teaching and learning”.

A statement from the chairman of governors for both schools, Melanie Gill and Carol Jackson, said: “The governors of Fordingbridge Infant School and Fordingbridge Junior School have explored ways of working more closely together on a more formalised basis.

“The idea we are proposing is that of ‘federating’ both schools to form the Fordingbridge Infant and Junior Schools Federation.

“Governors at both schools want to ensure the best possible provision of education for local children from Year R to Year 6, now and in the future – and we believe that Federating is the way to achieve this.”

Each school would retain its own budget, identity and character”.

Over the last six months the schools have been sharing a head teacher.

The statement added: “Governors of both schools are clear that this is not a proposal to create one school or dispose of any property.

“Governors believe federation will continue to build upon the benefits already realised during the past few months when the Fordingbridge Junior School head teacher has also been working as interim head teacher at the infant school.”

A report on the plans say the federation of the schools would also help recruit and retain “high quality” staff.

The consultation will run until July 16 and then the schools governors will discuss the results and make a final decision during the autumn term.

Drop-in sessions are being held to discuss the proposals on June 21 at the Infant School and June 27 at the Junior School. They run from 8am-9am and 5pm-6.30pm.