The National Middle Schools' Forum (NMSF) is a national education association dedicated exclusively to the promotion and support of

middle schools in England Middle schools in England are defined in English and Welsh law as being schools in which the age range of pupils starts younger than 10 years and six months and finishes older than 12 years of age. The number of middle schools, including combin ...

. The organisation was first formed in 1991 as the Inter-Lea Middle Schools' Forum. The initial organisation was in part due to the recent Audit Commission response which proposed a rationalisation of

primary education Primary education or elementary education is typically the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary school. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first ...

to remove middle schools. This process had started during the early 1980s and has continued throughout the 1990s and 2000s (decade). Much of the support aspect of the forum continues to focus on

local education authorities Local education authorities (LEAs) were local councils in England that are responsible for education within their jurisdiction. The term was used to identify which council (district or county) is locally responsible for education in a system wit ...

where proposals are under consideration for the removal of

three-tier education Three-tier education refers to those structures of schooling, which exist in some parts of England, where pupils are taught in three distinct school types as they progress through the education system. Terminology In a three-tier local educa ...

systems. It is the current aim of the forum to provide a focal point for networking and discussion among the remaining

Middle Schools in England Middle schools in England are defined in English and Welsh law as being schools in which the age range of pupils starts younger than 10 years and six months and finishes older than 12 years of age. The number of middle schools, including combin ...

. It is recognised as a partner in work with government agencies, including the

Department for Children, Schools and Families Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) was a department of the UK government, between 2007 and 2010, responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education. DCSF was replac ...

and the

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) was a charity, and an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) of the Department for Education. In England and Northern Ireland, the QCDA maintained and developed the National Cu ...

. The forum holds a national conference for members, as well as sending delegates to international events, including the European League for Middle Level Education.

External links

NMS forum official website
Associations of schools {{edu-org-stub