Proposals have been put forward to merge both RiddingsInfant School and RiddingsJuniorSchool into a through Primary School based on the current JuniorSchool site.

Following the extreme weather conditions last December 2010, Riddings Infant School hall became damaged beyond repair, the weight of the snow had caused the roof to collapse twice. There were also fears over asbestos in the main hall at the Dragonby Road school. Measures were put in place for the infant school children to used the hall and dining facilities across the road at the nearby junior school.

In the mean time, rather than rebuild the school hall immediately, alternative options were considered which could create a better learning environment for all Riddings pupils. It was decided that the best solution was to construct additional new building accommodation at the Riddings Junior School site, which would provide ample space for both the infant pupils and junior pupils to be located together and share facilities like the school hall / dining area.

Though the council has given approval for both schools to be located on the same site, it doesn’t mean they will automatically become a primary school they will continue to operate as separate infant and junior schools, unless the council formally applies for them to be merged. Both schools have had, for a number of years, a shared governing body (known as a federation) and an executive head teacher that running both schools. Running both schools as a primary would have many advantages for both pupils and staff as well as the financial implications. 

One of the main sticking points is the nursery which is on the infant school site, it is said to be in a good condition and two options are being looked at;

Option one might be to continue using the existing nursery. Whilst this may be less convenient for parents, it would free up more money to be spent on the main building project.

Option two is to relocated the nursery to the junior school site, it would be more convenient to have all provision located together, but would reduce the total mount of money for the main building project.

Consultations are currently ongoing though if the two schools were to be merged it is envisaged both Riddings Infant School and Riddings Junior School would close on 31^st December 2011, and the Primary School would open on 1st January 2012. However, as the building work would not be complete by this

date, the primary school will operate on split sites until the new classroom are complete.

Drop in sessions are being held at Riddings Junior School on Thursday 9th June 2011 at 9am to 10.15am and 2.30pm to 3:30pm. This will be a chance for anybody to have an informal chat with the local authority and school representatives.

A formal public meeting is also being held at Riddings Junior School on Monday 13th June at 6pm.