THE governors of Beccles Middle and Crowfoot Primary schools are seeking feedback on a proposed “soft federation” between the two schools- which would see them share a headteacher.

THE governors of Beccles Middle and Crowfoot Primary schools are seeking feedback on a proposed “soft federation” between the two schools- which would see them share a headteacher.

The proposal, which comes in the light of the resignation of the headteacher at Crowfoot, would see the current Beccles headteacher Dave Baker take over at both schools.

Governors at the two Beccles schools say that it would lessen the impact of the change to a two-tier education system, which will see the middle school closing in four year's time and Crowfoot expanding.

Tina Gobell, who has been headteacher at Crowfoot for five years, is moving to Kent at the end of this school year because of family commitments.

The change has given governors at both schools the chance to explore new ways of working that will ease the transition into a two-tiered educational system.

In a letter sent out to parents this week, the governors write that they “unanimously agreed” to recommend the soft federation in principle to “ensure that the impact upon the children is minimal.”

The schools would work very closely together until the closure of the middle school in September 2012, and Mr Baker would be supported by the deputies and assistant headteachers at both schools.

It is hoped that when the middle school closes staff might be recruited across to Crowfoot.

Stephen Elms, chair of governors at Beccles Middle School, said that the federation would be the best outcome for both schools: “Our headteacher will be looking for a job at some point, and if he applied for the position at Crowfoot and got it, as I'm sure he would, we would have to find a new head for the next few years.

“There would be continuity of personnel at the very top, and there could be quite a lot of interchange of skills and expertise between the schools because they would be working very closely together.

“When we have an expanded Crowfoot we will have a Crowfoot in the style of Beccles Middle, which is the best middle school in the whole of Suffolk according to Ofsted, and a very vibrant headteacher.”

There will be a public meeting to explain the federation process at St Luke's Church in Rigbourne Hill on Thursday April 23 at 7.30pm. Views will be gathered following this meeting and a decision will be made before the summer half term.