The new headmaster of a school in north Nottinghamshire has overturned a decision to relocate the preparatory school.
Dr John Price, headmaster of Workshop College and Ranby House School, has shelved plans to integrate the junior and senior schools after the decision was met with opposition from parents.
Ranby House, the junior division of the school, is just over six miles away from the 330-acre senior school which sits on the edge of Sherwood Forest.
The school had planned the relocation to encourage automatic through put after it successfully moved students in years 7 and 8 onto the senior school site.
It’s very clear that the Ranby House School site provides an idyllic environment for the youngest members of our community
“In the short time I’ve been in post, it’s very clear that the Ranby House School site provides an idyllic environment for the youngest members of our community to grow up and thrive in,” Dr Price said.
Dr Price said increased recruitment to Ranby House in the past five years had also prompted the rethink.
The school’s leader has also revealed plans to extend the provision at Ranby House, with the nursery set to accept children from age two in the very near future.
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David Thorpe, head of Ranby House School, said the school’s 70-year history on the site made leaving particular hard. “[Ranby House School] has educated thousands of pupils over the last 71 years, playing such a huge part in so many people’s lives and seeing generations of families return,” Thorpe said.
“We are pleased to say that investment in the site continues. At the beginning of this year, we created new classroom areas and play spaces by moving key stage 1 into the main school, enabling us to develop bespoke learning areas in a larger Early Years Foundation Stage Centre. We are nearing completion of an outdoor education centre and wildlife fishing pond, as well as refurbishing our school chapel,” the head of Ranby added.
Tori Eadington, chair of the Ranby Parents’ Group and former pupil at Ranby House, has two children at the school and welcomed the decision.
“The school grounds are second-to-none, and it’s a fabulous environment for children to learn in. The decision taken to stay is a very much welcomed one, enabling future generations to benefit from a Ranby House School education in the location it’s sat on for 71 wonderful years,” she said.
