Primary schools expansion to be discussed
PROPOSALS to expand places at 2 primary
schools in Liverpool to deal with increasing demand are to be considered by
councillors.
An Education and Children Service's Select Committee meeting is being held on
Tuesday, 17 March 2015, to discuss:-
► Enlarging the capaCity of Dovedale Infant and Junior Schools in Church ward on
their existing sites by creating an additional form of entry (30 pupils).
► Increasing the reception intake at Christ the King Catholic Primary in
Wavertree from 45 to 60 pupils.
The plans; which are backed by the heads and governing bodies of the schools;
are part of an expansion programme to deal with a shortfall of up to 300
reception class places by September 2017 due to a growth in population and an
increase in the birth rate.
By 2019, the total primary school population in Liverpool is expected to have
risen by around 4,400 pupils.
The City Council has received £15.4 million of funding from the Government to
help address the issue and is bringing forward proposals for schools that meet
the Government's strict criteria for funding to expand by building new
classrooms on the existing sites.
Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said:-
"This is about making sure that parents and carers have a good chance of getting
their child into a nearby school of their choice.
What we are doing here is using the funding to take action now to tackle the
areas where we know there is the greatest demand to alleviate some of the
pressure.
The schools that we have identified meet the Government's very strict criteria
for this funding. We are committed to working with parents, carers, staff and
the local community to address any concerns over the proposals if they are
approved."
At Dovedale it is being proposed that the reception class is increased from 3 to
4 forms of entry starting in September 2015, enabling numbers to grow slowly
over the next 7 years.
Designs are being drawn up which will create more playground space for pupils by removing mobile classrooms and creating an additional outdoor area for reception pupils to improve their environment.
To tackle concerns over increased traffic, options are being explored to provide off road parking nearby for staff as well as introducing double yellow lines.
An
application to amalgamate the infant and junior schools is currently being
considered by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.
At Christ the King, a second reception class would be introduced to grow numbers
slowly over the next 7 years. To mitigate the impact on the surrounding area, it
is proposed to introduce a 'walking bus' and provide more space for
cycles and cars.
Plans to expand St Anne's Catholic Primary and Smithdown Primary in Picton; St
Silas Church of England Primary in Princes Park and St Cleopas Church of England
Primary in Riverside have already been approved. Next
The Select Committee's recommendations will be considered by the Council's
Cabinet on Friday, 20 March 2015, when a final decision will be made.
