THE DECISION to send Worcester pupils to Malvern schools has been slammed as “deeply flawed”.
Members of Worcestershire County Council recently approved the move, which will see 90 pupils from the city sent to schools in Malvern next academic year.
But the decision has incited the wrath of Coun Mel Allcott.
She condemned it as “deeply flawed, disruptive, and wholly avoidable”.
The Worcester City Councillor continued: “This decision makes no sense – not educationally, not logistically, and certainly not for the wellbeing of Worcester families. Children will face longer journeys, increased travel costs, and unnecessary upheaval simply because the council has failed to plan ahead for local school capacity.
“It’s an appalling example of poor leadership and short-term thinking.”
The numbers are 90 Worcester pupils to go to Malvern schools in 2026 and 45 in 2027.
Coun Allcott is now urgently calling for the council to reconsider its approach immediately and to work proactively with Worcester schools to create additional local places, including through the rapid deployment of mobile classrooms where necessary.
She added: “Instead of forcing Worcester pupils out of their communities, the council should be working with local schools right now to find solutions. Mobile classrooms can provide a quick, practical fix to keep children learning close to home while permanent expansion plans are developed. We need decisive, compassionate leadership – not bureaucratic box-ticking.
“Families deserve better than to have their children shipped out of the city because of a lack of foresight. I’m calling on the Reform council to pause this ill-conceived plan and do what’s right for Worcester’s young people.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We understand that any change to school allocations can cause concern for families. A decision was made at the July Cabinet to approve the recommendation to deliver sufficient secondary school places for some Worcester city pupils in September 2026 and September 2027 through increasing places available at Malvern secondary schools.
“We strongly encourage all families to apply within the deadline and to list multiple preferences, including their catchment school, to maximise the chance of securing a preferred school place and being eligible for school transport.”
