Proposal to combine two Great Barr schools amid ‘financial challenges’
Proposals to combine two Birmingham schools partly due to “financial challenges” have been put forward for public consultation.
Birmingham City Council said it had received a request to amalgamate Beeches Junior School and Beeches Infant School, two separate schools which operate on the same site in Great Barr.
If approved, the infant school would be ‘discontinued’ while Beeches Junior School would be ‘enlarged’ and become a single primary school with a pupil age range of four to 11.
According to the council, the main reasons for the amalgamation are the financial challenges at the school and falling roll, which is the number of pupil places which are unfilled.
“Birmingham has experienced falling demand for primary school places in recent years because of falling birth rates,” it said.
But it acknowledged there was an increase in housing being built around the two schools which may increase demand for school places in the future.
“The city is also seeing potential growth because of international resettlement programmes,” it said. “This proposal does not reduce the number of pupil places that would be offered because of the amalgamation.
“The school would offer a combined total of 90 places in reception.
“The admission number would continue to be monitored to ensure the school remains viable, which is the same for any school where there has been falling demand for pupil places.”
The council said the amalgamation would offer “more flexibility” in managing admission numbers in the future, if required.
Benefits that the governing bodies of the schools believed will be achieved through amalgamation include a ‘consistent ethos and vision’, simplified communication between school and parents, opportunities for career development and continuity for pupil’s learning.
“The governing bodies believe that, as a single school, there would be benefits to flexibility and stability of the finances as a single primary school,” the council document went on to say.
On how pupils could be affected, it said all current infant school pupils would have the right to automatically transfer to the amalgamated school.
Of the potential impact on staff, the document said it recognised change could be “unsettling” and there may be “challenges along the way”.
“Birmingham City Council is committed to support the governing bodies to achieve and maintain the best outcomes for the children,” it continued.
“The proposed changes will consider duplication of shared rolls.
“Any staff reductions because of the amalgamation will be with full consultation with the individual employees and relevant trade unions and teaching associations.”
Following consultation, a report will be presented to the council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families, with the final decision deadline window being December 8.
If the proposal is approved, the changes could be implemented from September 1, 2026.
The cost of any internal alterations to the buildings will be met by the school.
If the proposal is rejected, Beeches Infant School and Beeches Junior School would continue to operate as two separate schools under two governing bodies.
