A PROPOSAL to unite a primary and secondary school to create an "all-through" academy has gone out to consultation.

Thousands of letters have been distributed to homes in the north of the borough informing parents about plans to incorporate Monson Primary School with Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College.

The outline proposal is based on discussions between Lewisham Council, Monson School and the college.

They have looked at how to tackle long-running issues at Monson, such as pupils starting and leaving at different points in the school year.

The council believes linking the primary school with the college in Pepys Road, New Cross, will create more stable classes and improve academic standards.

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Lewisham is concerned by the proposals.

The NUT thinks such an academy will cause "instability" for neighbouring schools.

NUT general secretary Martin Powell-Davies said: "If the overall mobility in the area is still high, this difficulty will be transferred to other schools.

"Are all-through primary-secondary schools really the way forward?

"It is the local authority's responsibility to support schools without giving them away."

But Monson headteacher Jeff Hughes feels the proposal will be a positive move for the school and parents.

He said: "It will help raise expectations of parents and give children at Monson a good opportunity.

"We've tried various projects to achieve good results but they have not addressed this problem of mobility.

"Aske's has a very good reputation and can support us in areas such as modern languages. In turn we are experts in primary education."

Cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Robert Massey said: "It's an outline proposal aimed at addressing issues raised by staff, parents and groups.

"The number of pupils from the area accepted by Aske's would rise by 40 per cent."

There will be a public meeting about the plans at Monson primary in Hunsdon Road, New Cross, on October 19.

After a six-week consultation period a decision will be taken on whether to submit a formal proposal.

Send your views to Ruth Bourne, 3rd floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU.