Great Dunham and Beeston primary schools could merge amid financial issues and declining student numbers

A “rapidly falling” number of pupils could see two primary schools merge come the start of September.

The Unity Education Trust (UET) has launched a consultation process asking for parents’ views on merging Great Dunham Primary School with Beeston Primary School.

The catchment area of the Beeston school would be changed to encompass the Great Dunham area.

The proposals come amid a variety of issues at Great Dunham, including “several years of staffing turbulence”, “a continued decline in pupil numbers”, and financial problems.

There are currently 42 pupils at the school, with projections suggesting this number could fall to 13 within five years - leaving it “financially unsustainable”.

A letter to parents seen by the Lynn News says there is also a forecast £363,798 deficit by the end of 2028.

“Merging the two schools will enable all pupils to benefit from established and effective teaching and learning, greater opportunities for pupils to learn with peers of their own age and targeted, age-related teaching,” the letter says.

“Beeston Primary School is a warm and welcoming village primary school with a strong sense of local community and involvement.”

A number of groups are currently being consulted on the matter, including parents, governors, councillors, trade unions and MPs.

The consultation opened yesterday (Wednesday) and will close at 9am on March 25.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4 at the Great Dunham school, allowing people to express their views and ask questions. It will start at 3.30pm.

The letter to parents adds: “At the end of the consultation period UET will produce a report and this will be considered by the UET trust board.

“If the trust board decide to proceed with the proposals following consultation, it will prepare a business case to be considered by the Department for Education (DfE) regional director.

“The proposal to merge the schools, if accepted, would be implemented from September 2025 by agreement with the DfE regional director and Norfolk County Council.”

A UET spokesperson said: “Great Dunham Primary School the has continued to face significant challenges around extremely low pupil recruitment which in turn places the school in a position of continued projected financial deficits and vulnerability.

“You will be aware that there are county-wide and national challenges in maintaining small rural schools.

“We take seriously our responsibility to provide the best possible education for the young people in our schools and therefore have considered all options to strengthen and develop educational provision whilst reviewing the viability of Great Dunham Primary School.

“Our trust board, central executive leadership and the executive head teacher have been discussing how we can ensure the long-term sustainability of high-quality education for the children in our care.

“Part of our initial response was to provide executive leadership and formal partnership working with Beeston Primary.

“The board of trustees is discussing with Norfolk County Council and the Department for Education the principle of the potential merger for the benefit of all parties. Pending continued discussions and any future application, we wished to consult broadly with all relevant stakeholders.

“We believe we now have an opportunity through a merger- not only to protect education in the area for the future - but also to increase our school improvement capacity, enable greater collaboration and partnership working, maximise resources and support the delivery of high quality and inclusive educational provision.”

One parent told the Lynn News she has been left in “shock” by the sudden announcement, having heard nothing of the proposals until yesterday.

She said she and other parents “just want more information”.