A public consultation on joint plans to change the age range at schools in the Ashby and Ibstock area have from August 2022 has a month left to run.

They have announced plans to join LiFE Multi Academy Trust (MAT) which would see Ashby School cater for pupils in the 11-18 age range and Ibstock Community College and Ivanhoe College becoming 11-16 secondary schools.

The schools announced the plans on their respective websites earlier this month.

The Sixth Form at Ashby School will provide post 16 education for students from all three schools.

The three schools will also join LiFE MAT - a move that will help to ensure a smooth transition to age range change.

Ashby School explained in a statement: "The schools have launched a formal six-week consultation process with parents and other stakeholders about the proposed changes.

"Further information about these is available on the school websites.

"The schools are also consulting on changes to their admissions policies, which would be necessary to reflect age range change, subject to DfE approval.

"The government is encouraging schools across the country to join MATs, with the aim of developing and promoting best practice and improving learning results for pupils.

"All other secondary schools in Leicestershire have already introduced age range change over the last few years and now offer 11-16 or 11-18 education.

"The Headteachers of the three schools, Alison Allford (Ivanhoe), Anne-Marie Blewitt (Ibstock) and Geoff Staniforth (Ashby) issued the following statement: 'This is an exciting time for schools in the Ashby and Ibstock area as we develop our local partnership further and move to become part of a successful Leicestershire MAT.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work with like-minded leaders and to bring secondary age range change to our area.

"LiFE MAT's lead school is Bosworth Academy, which is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and will be able to use its experience of going through a similar change to guide us.

"We are confident that our proposals will enable us to continue our journey of improvement, and that parents and pupils in our area will have access to the best secondary schools and education."

Chris Parkinson, CEO of LiFE Multi Academy Trust, said: "We are delighted that the three secondary schools in Ashby and Ibstock want to join our group of schools and that they share our values of inclusion, innovation and integrity. This will enhance our ability to offer excellence, grow meaningful collaboration and consequently opportunity to all pupils in our trust and across our communities."