|
Primary schools expansion to meet demand for
places
PROPOSALS to create hundreds of new
pupil places at Liverpool primary schools are set to be approved.
It follows a consultation earlier this year about expanding schools in Norris
Green, Greenbank and Mossley Hill.
Liverpool currently has enough primary school places across the City, but not in
the areas of greatest demand. This is due to a rising birth rate and ongoing
regeneration which means more people are moving into some areas of the City.
On Friday, 16 December 2016, the Cabinet is being asked to approve:-
► An additional form of entry at Monksdown Primary in Norris Green, enabling it
to take 90 pupils per year (3 classes) from September 2017, increasing capacity
by 210 pupils over the next 7 years. The school had already expanded from 60 to
90 places in September 2016 as a 1 off to ease the pressure on places.
► Expanding Sudley Infant School in Mossley Hill from 3 to 4 forms of entry from
September 2017 delivering 90 new places by 2020, and Sudley Junior School from
September 2020, creating 120 new places by 2023.
►
Monksdown Primary School had 109 applications for 90 places in September 2016,
and there are no places available at neighbouring schools in Croxteth, West
Derby and Clubmoor.
►
Sudley Infant School is consistently oversubscribed, with 318 applications for
90 places in September 2016, and currently has 92 children on the waiting list.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for education, Councillor Nick Small, said:-
"It's great that we're seeing more people moving in to the City, but it is
vital parents have a good chance of getting their child into a nearby school of
their choice.
What we are doing here is taking 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 including being ranked as good or outstanding by Ofsted and on
a solid financial footing.
We are committed to working with parents, staff and the local community to
address any concerns over the proposals. During the consultation, some people
suggested that we should build new schools to deal with demand, but the
Government took those powers away from us some years ago and only allows
sponsored free schools or academies."
A working group will be established to look at how best to mitigate additional
traffic for Sudley Infant and Junior Schools such as new entrances, additional
parking spaces, promoting walking and encouraging parents to park safely.
A proposal to expand St Anthony of Padua Catholic Primary School from 30 to 45
places is still subject to consultation by the school's governing body.
There have already been expansions in other parts of the City, with additional
classes created at Dovedale Community Primary, Christ the King Catholic Primary,
St Anne's Catholic Primary, Smithdown Community Primary, St Silas Church of
England Primary and St Cleopas Church of England Primary. |
