Council leaders to consider school merger

Two schools in Leeds could be merged if the proposal is agreed by city council leaders.

The governing bodies of Westfield Infant and Westfield Junior School in Yeadon are proposing the move to create a single primary school for three to 11-year-olds.

If approved, Westfield Junior, on New Road, would close from the end of August with pupils transferred to the existing infant school on Westfield Grove from September.

The plans are due to be discussed by Leeds City Council's executive board on 17 June.

A council report said: "The governing body of Yeadon Westfield Infant School is proposing to change the age range of the school from three to seven years to three to 11 years with effect from 1 September.

"The infant school would become a primary school whilst Westfield Junior School would discontinue with effect from 31 August."

A consultation is being held on the proposal after a statutory notice was issued, the Local Democracy Service reports.

Parents, head teachers of nearby secondary schools, ward councillors and trade unions were among those being asked for their views.

The report said: "During the representation period anyone can comment on or object to the proposal.

"The views of the wider school community and other stakeholders will be sought during the representation period."

The council previously tried to close Yeadon's Queensway Primary School due to financial pressures and falling pupil numbers.

But the plan had to be shelved after parents launched a legal challenge over how a consultation was carried out.

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