New C of E school will open in new year
Thetford's first Church of England school since medieval times is set to open in the New Year.Norfolk County Councillors voted last month to merge the struggling Abbey Junior and Canterbury Infant into a voluntary aided primary school following “overwhelming” public backing.
Thetford's new Church of England school is set to open in the New Year.
Norfolk County Councillors voted last month to merge the struggling Abbey Junior and Canterbury Infant into a voluntary aided primary school following “overwhelming” public backing.
The Diocese of Norwich has now submitted a proposal to open the new primary on the existing site of the two Abbey Estate schools on January 1 2009.
Residents have six weeks to comment on the plans for the Church of England school, which will cater for 250 girls and boys aged between three and 11 years and 26 nursery pupils.
The decision to close Abbey Junior and Canterbury Infant aims to address years of underachievement at the two schools in Canterbury Way.
Andy Mash, director of education at the diocese, said all pupils from the two schools would be transferred to the new voluntary aided church primary, which will have “religious character”, but will give priority to children from the Abbey Estate.
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“The school will have a Christian ethos, in accordance with the traditions and principles of the Church of England. Church of England schools are distinctive but inclusive. This school, like others, will serve its local community and will welcome people of all faiths and none,” he said.
Comments should be sent to School Performance, Organisation and Review, Room 20, Children's Services, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DL.
