THREE Lowestoft schools are to consult people about a plan to become a federation.The idea from Benjamin Britten High, Lothingland Middle and Foxborough Middle is a response to the impending overhaul of education in Lowestoft, which will see all middle schools closing in favour of a two-tier system.

THREE Lowestoft schools are to consult people about a plan to become a federation.

The idea from Benjamin Britten High, Lothingland Middle and Foxborough Middle is a response to the impending overhaul of education in Lowestoft, which will see all middle schools closing in favour of a two-tier system.

Heads, staff and governors all agree that creating a federation would help to develop and maintain a close co-operation, joint decision-making and a clear common vision to support staff and students during the period of transition.

Each school in the federation would keep its own governing body, but they would have a joint committee to take decisions around a structure set out to respond to each individual child's needs.

The federation would seek to clarify employment positions and training needs, as well as give staff the chance to apply for new roles within the new north Lowestoft school, which would take pupils from the age of 11.

Those behind the idea believe that pupils will enjoy more continuity, best practice would be shared and those with special needs would be subject to joined-up thinking and planning.

Each would also be tracked to ensure his or her education is of good standard and they are achieving what is expected.

Trevor Osborne, head of Benjamin Britten High, said backers of the idea could not change the decision made by Suffolk County Council to shake up the schools system.

However, they could ensure that every single child within the process was given the support he or she needed.

He said: 'The head teachers of Foxborough, Lothingland and Benjamin Britten, as well as the chairs of governors, have been spending a lot of time in discussion to achieve the best possible education for 11 to 16-year-olds

'To this end we have decided to form a federation, a legally binding group with a committee to manage this process.

'In three years time 740 new children will come into this school and 30 new staff, and we recognise that it isn't about this school, it's about the majority of staff and students in middle school at the present time, so we want to work together to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.'

The full public consultation exercise will take place from Monday, April 20 to Friday, May 22. There will also be a drop-in consultation session on Tuesday, May 12 from 11am to 5pm at Benjamin Britten High School, where education consultant David Groves will answer questions.