Grammar School at Leeds - Merger Controversy

Merger Controversy

The school administrations of Leeds Grammar School legally merged with Leeds Girls' High School on 31 August 2005 with the schools physically merging in September 2008.

Plans for the merger were not universally welcomed. As early as 2003, a campaign group called "No Merger in 2007" alleged a "hidden agenda", a drive to reduce debts incurred from an LGS building programme, and stated that the proposed merger "makes no educational sense". The LGS headmaster, Mark Bailey, claimed that only a fifth of parents opposed the planned merger, and the LGHS headmistress Sue Fishburn stated that 80% of parents were in favour of the merger. A number of parents were reported to have stated a preference for strictly single-sex establishments despite assurances that classrooms would be single-sex.

In January 2004, Mark Bailey was reported to have stated that less than 1% of the 1500 families with children at the two schools "wrote to oppose the move". Further controversy was reported in 2005, when plans for the new school crest were released. According to the report, "Parents who contacted the Yorkshire Post said many felt dismayed by the merger and the new logo but dared not speak up". One parent claimed the existing crest had been "obliterated by a felt-tip doodle".

Plans to redevelop the Alwoodley site were met with some opposition. Leeds City Council delayed its decision for the LGS planning application until summer 2006, requiring the physical merger to be put back a year until September 2008. As well as this, there was controversy due to the expected increase in traffic levels at the Alwoodley site, but this was reduced by the drawing up of a new traffic plan.

Work began in August 2007 and involved the formation of a new signalised site access junction. The construction of a new pedestrian tunnel and a 30 mph (48 km/h) speed limit were also installed to relieve traffic pressure. Controversy persisted into late 2007, however, over the possible need for an additional vehicle entrance at the new school site in Alwoodley and the arrangements for the disposal of the Headingley LGHS site.