I am updating residents, parents and carers following the recent consultation regarding the proposed changes to the school day at Maney Hill Primary School.
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to engage with the process. Whether parents support the proposal, oppose it, or remain undecided, the strength of feeling and level of engagement demonstrates how much families care about the future of our school and the education of our children.
I would also like to thank Headteacher Mr Edgerton, the staff team and governors for the way they have approached what is undoubtedly a difficult issue. The school is facing genuine financial pressures, and whilst there are differing views on how those challenges should be addressed, it is important that discussions remain respectful, constructive and focused on securing the best possible outcome for pupils.
Following the initial consultation, the school has now confirmed through a letter to all parents that it will extend the consultation period and undertake a second phase of engagement before any decision is made.
I welcome this decision.
Following the parent meeting which I attended, I wrote formally to the Governing Body and the Head Teacher separately outlining many of the concerns, questions and suggestions raised by parents and my own comments. These included issues around attendance, safeguarding, SEND provision, Year 6 transition arrangements, the potential impact on future admissions, staff consultation, alternative options, and whether implementation should be delayed to allow families more time to prepare.
I also encouraged the school to continue engaging with other schools that have implemented, explored and unsuccessfully tried similar arrangements, to explore all viable alternatives, and to consider additional opportunities for parent engagement, including a second meeting and greater transparency around the evidence being considered.
It is encouraging that many of these points are now reflected in the school’s updated approach and confirmed my hopes and confidence that this is a genuine consultation process.
The school has confirmed that:
- No decision will be made before the summer holidays.
- Governors will undertake a further phase of consultation.
- A second parent meeting may be arranged.
- Additional information and clarifications will be provided to families.
- Alternative options, including different days of implementation, are being considered.
- There will be no implementation in September 2026.
- If the proposal were ultimately approved, the earliest implementation date would now be January 2027.
Importantly, the school has also recognised that a significant number of questions remain unanswered and that further information is needed before governors can reach a final decision.
Throughout this process, as I am not a statutory consultee, I have sought to play a constructive role. Whilst I have personal concerns about the proposal as both a parent and an experienced ex-school governor of schools elsewhere, I also recognise the financial challenges facing schools and the responsibility governors have to consider all available options.
My objective has throughout to ensure that the process is robust, transparent, evidence-based and fair to parents, staff and pupils alike, and a genuine consultation not rubber stamping a decision already agreed.
I will continue to work with the school, parents, Birmingham City Council and other relevant organisations to ensure all reasonable alternatives are explored, all relevant information is considered, and that the voices of local families continue to be heard.
I would encourage every family to engage with the next phase of consultation, even if you do not feel strongly one way or the other. The more representative the feedback received, the more informed and legitimate any eventual decision will be.
I will continue to keep residents updated as the process develops.
Information:
Original press release on the original proposals, 7th June 2026: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/school-sutton-coldfield-cut-hours-34075638
Full text from Mr Edgerton:
Consultation to amend the length of the school day to support teacher PPA time
Dear Parents and Carers,
As part of our ongoing work to manage school resources responsibly while continuing to provide high-quality education for all children, we have been exploring a range of options, including a possible change to the length of the school day to support teacher planning, preparation and assessment time.
Following discussion with governors, the school will now take more time to consult further, consider feedback carefully and explore the options available. This extended period will help ensure that all options are assessed properly, that any decision is made in the best interests of the whole school community, and that parents and carers have greater clarity as well as additional time to prepare for any potential changes. No decision will be made before the summer holidays.
Phase 1 consultation
The first phase of consultation has included engagement with schools that have successfully implemented similar arrangements, discussions with staff, and opportunities for parents and carers to share their views through a questionnaire, a parent meeting, and direct contact with the school including sharing of Governor minutes, which have been shared.
Governors will now review the feedback and information gathered during this phase. There is a significant amount of feedback to consider, including points that may require further clarification, exploration or development before any final decision is made.
There are 294 families at Maney Hill. Responses to the questionnaire were as follows:
- 107 families were against the proposal, representing 37% of the school population.
- 95 families were in favour of the proposal or indicated they would be happy either way, representing 32% of the school population.
- 92 families did not complete the questionnaire, representing 31% of the school population.
Phase 2 consultation
Following the first phase of consultation, the school will carry out a further phase of engagement. This is because a number of questions and areas of uncertainty have been raised, and further information has now been clarified. While not every concern can be fully resolved at this stage, it is important that families have the opportunity to consider the updated information and share their views again. Extending the consultation will also allow governors and school leaders to assess the options more fully before reaching a decision.
A second parent meeting will also be arranged if this would be helpful.
Councillor Yip will continue to be involved in the process to reassure residents of robustness and ensure all parties are working together.
Main points of clarification on current proposal
- Any child who requires a Friday place will be offered one.
- Friday sessions will be free of charge, and most activities will also be free. Where an activity involves materials, such as cooking, there may be a small optional cost collected via MCAS.
- A Wednesday arrangement, rather than a Friday arrangement, is also being considered as an option.
- All teaching would continue to be delivered by class teachers.
- Activities may include construction activities such as Lego or K’Nex, art and craft, crochet or knitting, board games, eco and gardening activities, parachute and team-building games, forest school, music, sports, slime making, stone painting, quizzes, treasure hunts, cooking or baking, homework and spelling support, biscuit decoration, mindfulness and yoga.
- School is exploring increasing weekly time to 32.5hours
- Governor minutes have been shared
Timescales
In response to feedback from families, and to allow sufficient time for further planning, discussions with other schools and consideration by governors, there will be no implementation in September 2026. If a decision is taken to proceed, the earliest point at which any change would be implemented is expected to be January 2027.
It is important to note that this does not mean governors have rejected the proposal.
The consultation will remain open and ongoing, and governors expect to make a decision during the Autumn Term 2026. This will ensure that parents and carers know when to expect an outcome, while also allowing sufficient time for the proposal and any alternatives to be considered carefully.
Next steps
We will be asking all families to complete a form in the autumn term (with further clarifications) so that governors have the fullest possible picture before making any decision.
During the first phase of consultation, 92 families, representing 31% of the school population, did not complete the questionnaire. We would like ALL families too even if you don’t feel strongly either way.
Your feedback is important, and we would encourage every family to respond, whether you support the proposal, oppose it, or are undecided. This will help ensure that governors are able to consider a broad and representative range of views and any decision made will reflect that.
As mentioned previously, Councillor Yip will continue to be actively engaged in the process and work with school, parents and other parties.
Thank you for taking the time to share your views and for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Edgerton
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