From three-tier to two-tier
by Josie Milton, Executive Head Teacher
at Titchmarsh and
Warmington Primary Schools

On the 11 November 2014, after many months
of deliberation, lobbying and consultation, it
was announced that East Northamptonshire is
going to join the vast majority of local authorities
by closing its middle schools and moving to a
two-tier education system.

At its peak, the number of middle schools in
England was in excess of 1,400 but with the
closure of The King John in Thrapston, and
Oundle Middle School, there will be just 161
still offering education for 9-13 year olds.
The arguments for and against a two or threetier
system are many and varied, and it is
difficult to come to any definitive conclusions.
What is widely acknowledged is that strong
leadership from the senior management team
leads to good outcomes for pupils. That, rather
than any decision on organisational structure
across age groups is the defining quality
required of all schools to become outstanding.

In moving to a two-tier system,
Northamptonshire County Council has decided
to invest and support the rural and town
primary schools, all of which are rated either
good or outstanding by Ofsted, whilst The King
John, Oundle Middle, and Prince William are
currently ‘requiring improvement’.

The biggest challenge is to ensure that in the
transition from a three-tier system to a two-tier
is delivered with no impact on the education
of children. Significant investment has been
assured for building work and curriculum
development in primary schools to ensure that
all are fully prepared for the change. It is vital
that this pledge by Northamptonshire County
Council is honoured in full.

For parents with children already in the school
system, the hope is that the changes will result
in an improvement in the education currently
offered from years five through to eleven.
For parents with children entering primary
education over the next couple of years, they
should be encouraged that strong schools
are being given the opportunity to extend
their teaching through the entire key stage
two period. With final decisions on where to
send reception year children required by 15th
January, parents should be asking questions
about how the new primary schools will be
gearing up for the additional two years they
will now be responsible for. I am confident
you will be impressed by the responses - the
primary schools are taking the opportunity to
think creatively and are definitely rising to the
challenge.

 Education