The Bridge School, Ipswich Explained

The Bridge School
Address:Sprites Lane
Town:Ipswich
County:Suffolk
Postcode:IP8 3ND
Country:England
Type:Special school
Academy
Trust:Unity Schools Partnership
Local Authority:Suffolk
Urn:147162
Ofsted:Yes
Head:Tina Sharman
Head Label:Headteacher
Gender:Coeducational
Lower Age:4
Upper Age:16
Pupils:180
Capacity:180

The Bridge School is a coeducational special school located in Ipswich in the English county of Suffolk.

The school was formed in 2010 as a result of the merger of Heathside Primary School and Belstead School, both of which were designated as special schools.[1] The school has 20 nursery pupils, 100 primary and 60 secondary.

The schools are located on one single site in Sprites Lane in Ipswich following completion of the new Primary School on land adjacent to the Secondary School. The secondary school educates children from ages 11 to 16[2] The primary campus has a nursery attached to it which children can join from age 3.

The school is previously governed by an IEB or Interim Executive Board. However Suffolk County Council confirmed by letter on 8 February 2018 that there were no plans to convert the school to an academy following mixed communications and parent pressure.[3] [4] [5] [6] Despite this the school converted to academy status on 1 June 2019 and is now sponsored by the Unity Schools Partnership.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://suffolkinfolink.suffolkcc.gov.uk/records/OrganisationRecord.jsp?display=21785&query=_type:%22Organisation%22%20AND%20(%22Special%20schools%22)&general=%22Special+schools%22&category=Search%20All&type=Organisation&hitsPerPage=10&doc=2&maxdoc=15&defaultor=false&queryParameter=general&defaultfield=_body&searchMode=quick The Bridge School
  2. http://www.heathsideschool.com Heathside School
  3. Web site: Letter from Suffolk County Council. 8 February 2018.
  4. News: A victory for campaigners who want to save a special school from academisation. Mercer. Katie. East Anglian Daily Times. 2018-02-11. en.
  5. News: Anger at decision to force special school in Ipswich to become an academy. Mercer. Katie. Ipswich Star. 2018-02-11. en.
  6. Web site: Don't Break The Bridge School. www.facebook.com. en. 2018-02-11.