A "small and welcoming" infant school could relocate to a primary school site a mile away.

The Active Learning Trust is proposing to relocate one of its schools, Ravensmere Infant School at St Benedict’s Road in Beccles, onto the site of another of its schools nearby - Albert Pye Primary School at Frederick’s Road in Beccles.

A consultation is under way that could see Ravensmere Infant School relocate to Albert Pye Primary from September 1, 2024.

Last month the Beccles-area infant school was celebrating following a 'Good' Ofsted inspection.

And this week the Ravensmere Infant School Consultation was launched.

With the trust looking to "enhance the educational experience for pupils and staff at both schools by locating the education provision on one site," a spokesman said: "Both schools serve the community of the market town of Beccles, and this initiative aims to build on the strong foundation of collaboration between the two schools, which form the Albert Pye and Ravensmere Schools Federation.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Ravensmere Infant School pupils holding books they were gifted. Picture: Ravensmere Infant SchoolRavensmere Infant School pupils holding books they were gifted. Picture: Ravensmere Infant School (Image: Ravensmere Infant School)

"Ultimately, enhancing the educational journey for pupils.

"Ravensmere Infant School's current site limitations have prompted this strategic move.

"The proposed relocation to Albert Pye's Frederick's Road site, approximately one mile away, presents a solution to these challenges.

"Most notably, offering these pupils access to spacious playing fields and ample outdoor areas, facilitating playtime and physical education.

"The shift to year-group specific classes from mixed-age groups will also ensure smoother transitions and a more focused learning approach.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Pupils painting at Ravensmere Infant School. Picture: Ravensmere Infant SchoolPupils painting at Ravensmere Infant School. Picture: Ravensmere Infant School (Image: Ravensmere Infant School)

"Regarding the future of Ravensmere Infant School's existing site, plans will be shaped by several factors, including community feedback to ensure that it continues to serve the local community for educational purposes."

The proposal adds: "Albert Pye could accommodate all of the Ravensmere pupils without needing to increase class sizes given the space available in the main buildings."

'An exciting time'

Lynsey Holzer, The Active Learning Trust’s CEO, said: "We are delighted to share the details of these proposed plans and we are looking forward to engaging everyone within the school’s communities, and the wider Beccles community, in this process."

Rae Aldous, executive headteacher for both schools, added: "This is an exciting time for our schools and we hope to welcome many local people to our drop-in session in March to discuss the proposal in person."

With the Active Learning Trust inviting feedback on the proposed relocation, the drop-in event takes place at Albert Pye Primary on Thursday, March 14 from 4pm to 6pm.

People can also find out more and have their say as a consultation survey is also online until noon on March 28.

The proposal states that after this, the trust "will consider all the responses received during the consultation and decide whether to complete a business case and send it to the Regional Department for Education (DfE) Director’s office for a decision."