FOUR North Yorkshire schools are starting a consultation with parents about a plan to federate.

The federation would bring together Ryedale School, a secondary at Nawton, near Helmsley, with three community primary schools – Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Sinnington.

The schools’ governors claim the federation would strengthen the ties that already exist between them by formalising the commitment for the schools to work together.

Under federation the schools would remain separate and retain their own headteacher. However, they would share a single governing body and be supported by an executive leadership team.

Current staff would continue to work within their own schools. However, future appointments would be contracted to the federation and new staff could be asked to work across schools, sharing training and best practice.

A final decision will not be made until the governing bodies have collectively and then separately considered the feedback from the consultation.

The county’s executive member for schools, Cllr Arthur Barker said: “Federation is not about merging, closure or losing identity but it is about sharing facilities where appropriate and using fully the skills of all staff."

Public meetings will be held at: Helmsley primary on February 1, Sinnington primary on February 2, Ryedale School on February 3 and Kirkbymoorside primary on February 4. All at 7pm.