Council Plans Coversion of Orleans Infant and St Stephens Schools
The Council has announced plans to provide an additional 150 permanent reception class places in borough schools, in order to meet forecast demand. The plans include the conversions of Orleans Infant and St Stephens Church of England Junior into two-form entry primary schools, subject to the final agreement of all governing bodies concerned. The Council is consulting on these plans with schools, neighbouring local authorities, and residents. If the plans are implemented, the extra places will be provided from September 2011.
Have your say on the Primary School Expansions Strategy
The closing date for comments is Monday, February 2.
—Christopher J Squire
6 January 2009 | Category » news
Comments
Wasn’t this same plan just looked at 2-3 years ago and deemed not feasible do to not enough space. Why is the council spending money on a study again? What has changed about the two premises?
Sarah at 13 January 2009 7:20 PM
I imagine that what has changed is the forecast of demand: [i] from young families crowding into the area to get access to the already oversubscribed schools; and [ii] from the recession, which will sharply increase the percent of the age group requiring places because their parents can’t afford to go private. Writing from memory, I think the take up is c. 95 percent in most boroughs but only 75 percent in Richmond upon Thames, suggesting that it may be lower still in St Mags/E Twickenham, now a relatively expensive area, so the potential for a sharp [> 25 percent] increase in demand next autumn and in 2010 is there.
The proposed expansions may well be the ‘least-worst’ option or even the only option open to the Council.
Christopher Squire at 14 January 2009 11:58 AM
‘c. 95 and [> 25 ] ’ should be ’ c. 95 percent and [> 25 ] percent] in the entry above. The ‘%’ [percent] symbol is not displaying for reasons unknown.
Christopher Squire at 14 January 2009 12:01 PM
The percentage of children in St Margarets and North Twickenham, or Twickenham Riverside wards going to Richmond state primary schools has historically been between 50 and 60%, so it is easy to see demand increasing as a result of fewer children going to private education. I would suggest the feasibility study may have to look at ways of providing for nursery and reception classes for St Stephens off-site, but it is difficult to see where (the pavilion on Moormead?)
Trevor at 15 January 2009 12:41 PM