Little Gonerby Infant School in Grantham celebrates one of its 'most significant changes in our 150-year history'
The Little Gonerby Infant School is embarking on an exciting future as plans have been approved for it to become a primary school, a move which will also affect two other schools.
By September 2026, children from reception up to year six will be able to attend the Sandon Road school.
These plans have been approved following a previous consultation which the Journal reported on in May, which also concerned adjusting the admission ages at the National Junior School and Harrowby Infant School.
Currently, pupils from Little Gonerby and Harrowby Infant feed in National Junior School after their first three years.
Helen Hilton, headteacher at Little Gonerby, said: "I am so thrilled. We’re absolutely delighted that we will soon be able to expand our offer for our children so that they can stay with us until the age of 11.
"The impact of this change is enormous, and I am incredibly excited by what lies ahead. Not only will this change open the door to us attracting more staff, more resources and more ideas and opportunities – but, crucially, we will be able to build and strengthen our community.
"We already collectively achieve a huge amount with our amazing children and brilliant families in the three years they are with us. I know through the consultation with our parents that they are delighted that our classes will be able to grow and flourish together for longer.
"It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most significant changes in our 150-year history. It is important to acknowledge the planning and effort that this has taken.
"Our governors, past and present, devote so much of their free time to the school and should be applauded for their support.
"This is an incredibly exciting time for our school, and it wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support of Infinity Academies Trust.
"When we recently became part of the trust it was clear that their ambitions for our school matched our own. Together we are taking a very exciting step in the next stage of the school’s history."
This move will help alleviate pressure on places at other local primaries for children in years three to six.
Infinity Academies Trust, which oversees Little Gonerby Infant School, submitted these original plans alongside Lincoln Academy Trust.
Lincoln Academy Trust overlooks the Harrowby and National schools and they work together under a single governing body and one executive headteacher, but they are still two separate schools.
Little Gonerby operates under a separate academy trust.
The proposed plans in May suggested the admission age range at the National be lowered to include children from reception upwards and to adapt the premises.
It was also suggested to adjust the admissions age range at Harrowby and Little Gonerby to enable pupils to stay until Year 6 and re-organisation of the school grounds.
The number of admissions for the three schools would result in 45 children per year group at The National School, and 30 children per year group at the Little Gonerby and Harrowby school.
Gavin Booth, CEO at Infinity Academies Trust, added: "At Infinity we encourage our schools to strive to meet the needs of their communities.
"What is important to stress is that this move will have a real educational impact – building on all the amazing things that happen day-in and day-out at Little Gonerby.
"The younger children will be able to learn from older children. There will be increased leadership opportunities for all pupils and the school will be able to target support for longer without children facing a transition at the age of seven.
"We are delighted. This is a brilliant news for the trust, the school, the community – but, most importantly, the children."
The headteachers of the National Junior School and Harrowby Infant School have been approached for comment.
