The head of two Bury St Edmunds middle schools, the last that remain in Suffolk, has said their imminent closure is "emotional and difficult" – but that he is proud of everything staff and pupils have achieved. 

Ben Jeffrey has been headteacher at Westley Middle School, in Oliver Road, since October 2020 and executive head of both Westley and Horringer Court Middle School since September 2022. 

The schools are closing this summer, with their last day being Wednesday, July 19, after their academy trust, Unity Schools Partnership, made the decision they should shut following a public consultation last year. 

Bury Mercury: Westley Middle SchoolWestley Middle School (Image: Unity Schools Partnership)

Mr Jeffrey said: "It has been emotional and difficult but both schools have had a really good final year where the staff have been amazing.

"Despite knowing that the school is shutting and in many cases staff are taking redundancies in two weeks' time, all of the children have had proper teachers in front of them and a quality education.

"I am very proud of the fact that staff and students have been in a school that doesn't feel like its closing."

Plans to close the schools were approved by the government in May 2022.

Bury Mercury: Horringer Court Middle SchoolHorringer Court Middle School (Image: Google maps)

The Westley Middle School site will become the new County High School lower campus which will house Year 7 and Year 8 students, and is where Mr Jeffrey will take on a new position. 

Mr Jeffrey said he is most proud of the array of extracurricular activities and opportunities the schools were able to provide the pupils with even with the closure planned, including sports events and drama productions. 

He said: "For our students the message would be to take up all the opportunities that come your way and be yourself, be brave.

"In terms of staff, I'm incredibly grateful for everything they have given to both schools."