The future of King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray

On 10th May 2010, the County Council's Cabinet was presented with the outcomes of the statutory notice for the proposed closure of King Edward VII School by 31st August 2011 and the expansion of John Ferneley College. The Cabinet gave approval to proceed.

The closing of King Edward VII School will be achieved through a phased transfer of pupils to the other secondary schools in the Melton Mowbray and Vale of Belvoir Partnership. This will be subject to the availability of places at the other schools and parental choice for these schools through the admissions process. The phasing will be achieved as follows:

• From September 2010 there will be no further admissions to King Edward VII School.  Students in Year 6 who were due to attend King Edward VII School in  September 2010 will be accommodated at the other two secondary schools in Melton Mowbray; Long Field School and John Ferneley College;

• For the school year 2010-11 students in years 8, 9 and 11 will remain at King Edward VII School. In September 2011 they will move to other secondary schools in the Partnership. This will enable Year 11 students to complete their GCSE courses at King Edward VII School;

• In September 2010 year 10 students will move to the other two secondary schools; Long Field School and John Ferneley College to begin their GCSE courses. Letters have been sent to parents to express their preference and a school place will be allocated and confirmed early in June.

• Post-16 students will remain and be educated in King Edward VII School until the opening of the new Post-16 Centre which is being built on the site of the former Sarson High School buildings.  It will be completed in spring 2011 and will be open to students in autumn 2011. Students will study at the Post-16 Centre after studying in one of the partnership schools in the area from the age of 11-16. (The partnership schools are Belvoir High School, John Ferneley College, Long Field School and Birchwood Special School)

Further information about the new £13 million Post-16 Centre can be found on the following links:

In March 2007, after extensive consultation with parents, schools and the public, the County Council took a decision to re-organise schools in Melton Mowbray and the Vale of Belvoir.

These changes would see the development of four 11-19 secondary schools in the area, including King Edward VII School, which would work in partnership with a new Post-16 Centre.

The re-organisation aims to raise standards of achievement and attainment for all pupils in the area. This is being achieved by removing the barriers to pupil progress between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and by providing a wider curriculum choice through the development of a Partnership.

Since this decision, significant progress has been made by schools working closely together to enhance opportunities for young people.

In November 2009 a report setting out the results of the latest admissions round and highlighting the impact on King Edward VII School was submitted to the County Council Cabinet. The report indicated that of 160 available places in September 2010, only 57 parents had chosen King Edward VII School as their first preference. This follows equally disappointing numbers in September 2009 when only 50 students entered Year 7.

Since the re-organisation began, governors, staff and the local authority have worked very hard to improve the performance and popularity of the School. Despite this, parental confidence in the School has remained a cause for considerable concern.

The Council has a responsibility to ensure that all pupils achieve the highest possible standards of education, most particularly at Key Stage 4. The low admission numbers will limit delivery of the national curriculum entitlement and the full range of high quality curriculum choices at Key Stage 4. The Council therefore has to consider alternative options for the future, and has a duty to consult upon these.

Please use the following link to view the Consultation Document (pdf) (this consultation is now closed)

In March 2010 the County Council's Cabinet gave the approval to proceed with the closure of King Edward VII School in Melton from September 2011.  Approval was also given on  the proposed changes to Year 7 admission numbers for John Ferneley College and Long Field School to accommodate additional pupils with effect from September 2010.

A Statutory Notice (word doc) to proceed with the closure of King Edward VII School and the expansion of John Ferneley College was issued.  Following the publication there was a six week representation period during which objections could be made to the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service.  

Yes, the year 7 admission numbers for the other secondary schools in the Partnership will be increased to accommodate pupils transferring from King Edward VII School. The availability of these extra year 7 places will be managed through the County Council’s normal admissions procedures.If your child is currently in years 7, 8, 9 at King Edward VII School, places will be available at the other schools and you will be contacted to explain the process for transfer in autumn 2010. Parents should wait until they are contacted by letter from the Schools Admissions Team. There is no need for you to take any action at the moment.

It is important to retain the knowledge and expertise of staff in King Edward VII School. Staff will be encouraged to move to posts at the other schools in the Partnership and in the Post-16 Centre. Consultation meetings will be held with teaching and support staff to explain more.

The Post-16 Centre is currently being built on the site. It is important to us that the community and other facilities are retained.