THE first Redditch infants school to convert to a primary has officially cut the ribbon on its exciting new venture.
Webheath Academy Primary School has been taking pupils into its brand new Year 5 and 6 block since September 1 but the grand opening took place this week. Governors, teachers, and local MP Karen Lumley were in attendance, with Redditch Rio Paralympian Claire Cashmore officially cutting the tape.
The development means the Downsell Road school can now offer continuity of education from Reception class up to the critical Key Stage 2 exams.
Delighted headteacher Chris Millward said: “This is big news for Redditch; we were the first school to get permission to convert and now we’ve done it. It’s taken three years of planning and the result is simply tremendous.”
The project has been brought to fruition thanks to a cash injection of £1.8 million for the academy which has paid for the new Year 5 and 6 block and almost doubling the size of the school.
New staff have already been recruited and the first Year 5 pupils are now being taught in the new building as the school continues to expand.
Redditch was one of the few areas of the country which had stood by the three-tier system of education of infants, middle and high schools.
However, after the green light was given for the introduction of a two-tier system – using primary and secondary schools – last year brought a split in the borough’s education provision. Three-tier schools moved quickly to re-affirm a pyramid system to maintain pupil flow and re-assure parents of continuity.
However, Ms Millward said her school now extended parent choice, giving them the benefit of opting for either system.
“I’m just delighted that we have secured additional opportunity for parents, giving them various routes for their children to take,” she said. “We are providing more options.”
