Changes to the way schools are organised in the Ross area could be on their way depending on the outcome of a Herefordshire Council Consultation. Some schools could close to form a new ‘super school’ and there is also a suggestion of an ‘all through school’, which would be a combined primary and secondary school.

Herefordshire Council is currently developing a School Capital Investment Strategy, which will ensure that children across the county are educated in high quality learning environments.

As part of the development process, the council is currently meeting with groups of school head teachers and governors, including those in Ross-on-Wye, to consider the priorities and options for the strategy, which is due to go to Cabinet in November.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council told the Ross Gazette:?“There are a number of elements which could help to achieve high quality learning environments, including regularly maintained and fit for purpose buildings, sufficient outdoor space, access for those with disabilities and even the possibility of some schools being an ‘all through school’. These are all informal discussions at this point and any formal proposals will be subject to full public consultation.

A consultation has already opened on the Council’s website. This is open to the public as well as headteachers and governors and the response will determine how schools are maintained in the future.

There are many different schools across the Ross area and they are all run in different ways, some are church schools, such as Brampton Abbotts and St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School, or academies, while others are controlled by Herefordshire Council. Capital funds is the money which is used for repairs and maintenence.

The six week consultation runs from Monday, September 21st to Friday, October 30th. To have your say please visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/schools-investment-consultation.