The proposed closure of Tennyson Road Infant School is now open to public consultation
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An infant school in Rushden which caters to over 100 pupils will be "technically" closed under plans to amalgamate the school with another in the town. North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) said the decision was made to "address several financial and operational challenges".
NNC announced on Monday, September 5, that it was proposing to amalgamate Tennyson Road Infant School and Alfred Street Junior School in Rushden into a single body. It said it was approached by both schools to support the merger.
However, for the merger to progress, NNC says one of the schools has to ‘technically’ close. Proposals say Tennyson Road Infant School, which educates around 100 pupils aged between 3 and 7, will face "formal closure."
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The other institution, Alfred Street Junior School, which provides education for children aged 7 to 11 years, would be expanded to provide education for children from nursery age up to year 6.
The Governing Bodies of both Alfred Street and Tennyson Road schools approached the council to support the amalgamation after "several financial and operational challenges" at both schools. Council officers supported the request, saying the proposed union "would be to the benefit of children in the local area."
An initial consultation took place last Spring and showed majority support for combining the schools, according to NNC. At a meeting of the council's Executive on August 25, it was agreed for a Statutory Notice to be issued proposing the amalgamation. 
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The council says the proposed closure of Tennyson Road Infant School "is purely a ‘technical’ closure and does not prejudge that there will be a change of site, name, staffing or any other aspect of the new school." These will, however, be the subject of further consultation and decision-making.
"The proposal will mean closing the Department for Education number of Tennyson Road Infant School only," a spokesperson said. A Department for Education number is a unique reference number for every school used to officiate teacher training, pensions, and other admin.
A Steering Group – made up of Governors from both schools – has been set up in relation to the potential amalgamation of the Schools. The Steering Group recommends that the merger of Alfred Street Junior School and Tennyson Road Infant School goes ahead.
"It is the view of the Steering Group that this decision will lead to the development of a stronger, sustainable school that will be best placed to meet the needs of children, parents/carers and the wider community into the future," according to a NNC statement.
Residents and parents now have the opportunity to have their say on the plans in a formal consultation which runs from Monday, September 5 until midnight on Sunday, October 2. The consultation is available online at: https://northnorthants.citizenspace.com
Cllr Scott Edwards, NNC's Executive member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, said: “Supporting children in their education is very important to us and it’s important that as many people as possible have their say to make sure that everyone has had their view and all sides of the issue have been fully explored.”
Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said: “Our young people are the future of North Northants, so it’s important that they receive the best education possible. Ensuring the right school arrangements are in place is essential so it’s important we get this right. As such I’d encourage people to have their say to ensure that all views are represented.”
After the public consultation closes, a further decision will be made by the Council’s Executive on next steps.
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