A plan to create the country’s first state school for children aged from five to 16 has been submitted to Gillian Shephard, the Education Secretary, by a grant-maintained comprehensive in Essex.
The Gilberd School in Colchester is applying to build a primary unit for 420 pupils. Such a school would be unique in the state system, which traditionally educates younger children separately.
The need for a new primary school in the area is accepted by the Funding Agency for Schools, and there are no proposals from the county council. Essex had planned a primary school on the site before the Gilberd opted out.
According to principal Len Brazier, the new school would give primary pupils access to specialist teaching and allow teachers to develop consistency across 11 years of education.
“It will be possible to ensure continuity and progression, and develop breadth and balance. There will be no need for primary liaison,” he says. The intention is to teach French from the age of five, and to become a centre of excellence for sport. There are also plans to add a nursery and creche sponsored by local industry.
Len Brazier, a former PE teacher and one-time school inspector in Dorset, admits he has limited experience of primary schools. “We will be recruiting primary-trained teachers, but we will be also looking for language specialists,” he says.
“This is not a gimmick. We believe we can offer the majority of students the best education across 11 years. If, at the end, pupils can’t read, write or add up, it will be my fault. Maybe no one else wanted that challenge of accountability.”
Although many independent schools have a preparatory school attached, the separation of younger children in the state system is mainly historical. So says Robin Alexander, professor of primary education at Leeds University.
“The early-years specialists would make a case that all-age schools might be too big for young children. The family atmosphere can be better created in primary schools. Set against that is the importance of a school being viable and able to offer specialist teaching to older pupils,” he said.
Jenny Crockett, national council member of the National Association of Head Teachers, says there is concern among primary heads: “There is a feeling that the concept is educationally flawed and that children need to experience change in a changing world.”
The Gilberd proposal will undergo a two-month consultation process.
The London Oratory, the GM school chosen by Labour leader Tony Blair and his wife for their son, has applied to admit 20 seven-year-olds with musical ability. That proposal is with the Education Secretary.
