TWO SCHOOLS in Rugby have announced they will merge.
Rugby School and Bilton Grange Preparatory School will join forces and share facilities as of next January.
Bilton Grange will retain its name and identity, will be separately registered with the Department for Education and have a separate inspection regime.
Both schools will retain their educational autonomy but the merger will allow both to develop more specialist teaching.
The schools are already collaborating on outreach projects in the community, and a pilot scheme is about to be launched to provide sessions on Saturday mornings to children from local primary schools.
Rugby School head master Peter Green said: “For some time, Rugby School has been exploring the possibility of providing an educational pathway from the beginning of prep school to university entry.
“Bilton Grange, with whom Rugby has wide-ranging links, shares our ethos and commitment to high standards of teaching and learning so we are looking forward to this new partnership.
“Every year many of Bilton Grange’s brightest boys and girls join Rugby for their secondary school years. However, the merger will neither guarantee a place for Bilton Grange children nor prohibit their parents from choosing an alternative secondary school.
“Our rigorous recruitment process will remain the same for all prep school pupils applying to join Rugby School.”
Alex Osiatynski, head master of Bilton Grange, said the merge was a natural progression which will benefit the community.
He said: “Our schools provide a truly rounded education and a pioneering curriculum and this partnership will bring tangible benefits to both, with our extensive facilities and specialist teachers enhancing the opportunities for all pupils.
“Those parents wishing for a senior school other than Rugby will, of course, still have my support and guidance.”
