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Merger school to work on two sites
Arnold School
PUPILS at a new private school will be educated miles apart for at least a year, it has been revealed.
The new Arnold KEQMS School (AKS) will become a reality in September – but bar the brand new maroon uniform, most of its pupils will see little change for at least another year.
The school is being formed by merging Blackpool’s Arnold School with King Edward and Queen Mary School (KEQMS), in St Annes, but after consulting with parents the decision has been made to delay plans to house all the pupils on the same site until vital building work can be completed.
It means existing pupils will remain together, teachers are being given the option to re-consider voluntary redundancy and Arnold headmaster Jim Keefe – who will be in charge of the new school – will have to control his 1,000 pupils across two sites in two different towns.
The United Church Schools Trust (UCST) will run the new school, and its chief executive Jon Coles said: “I have decided that the best way forward is that pupils in all year groups should stay on their current site for the academic year 2012/13.
“Both schools rightly pride themselves on their friendliness, quality of teaching, the availability of staff and pastoral care, an ethos that permeates from the head and a strong community spirit.
“Jim Keefe is deeply personally committed to retaining these strengths and to building on the best of what exists in both schools in order to ensure that AKS is a success for all pupils. UCST will support him to the full in this.
“We intend to ensure that AKS is an outstanding local school from September, meeting the needs and preferences of the communities of both predecessor schools.”
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Mr Keefe added: “AKS will have small class sizes, a broad curriculum and a healthy range of activities after school from Day One of opening. We have a wonderful legacy to build on and a fantastic set of pupils, parents and staff.
“Staff from both schools are working hard to make sure that it is an outstanding school and we are extremely confident that this will be the case.”
A consultation is currently under way on plans to remodel the current KEQMS building and build a new junior school and sports hall on the site, which would allow all pupils to be eventually accommodated there.
One key change which will come into force from September is all the school’s pupils will be expected to wear the AKS uniform comprising of a maroon blazer with silver AKS logo, a navy and bottle green kilt for girls, and a navy blue and bottle green tie, with maroon stripes, for the boys.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
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Cynical Observer
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:33 PM40 years ago + I went to Blackpool Grammar School. Some of my mates who failed the 11+ went to Montgomery, Warbreck Hill etc and those with parents with money paid for their kids to duck the system and go to Arnold etc. There is little to choose between schools nowadays and a Grammar School or a Public Day School education are being less and less relevant. The end of small independent schools had been on the cards for ages.... if they don't have the income, like any business, how do they hope to keep on going... I note that that there has not been a huge influx on money from current parents and former old boysgirls?
The Martonian
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 08:28 PMMaroon, blue and navy, yeah colours that really go together. Doesn't mention trousers for boys, maybe they are banned.
westonbill
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:40 PMSorry to interupt. (my only way to comment) Why has the page regarding "Empty shop Debate " being relagated. It seems it has attracted a lot of comments and is causing discussion 7 comments. surely deserves being re-instated to the 'Front Page' Or is it my browser that is out of tune.
Rage of Sand
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:16 PMMight this two sites decision have something to do with the KEQMS parents appeal against the legality of the merger? It will certainly be cheaper for UCST to have the two schools operating separately if they lose in court and have to wind everything back.
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