New build options to be investigated for Oldfield School - Temporary classrooms will double intake for 2012

Maidenhead's popular Oldfield Primary School will double its reception intake in September next year, thanks to additional temporary classrooms provided by the Royal Borough - and a completely new school is a strong possibility.

At its meeting on Thursday 15 December cabinet unanimously supported a permanent expansion of the school from 30 to 60 children per year group - and there will be a further report in March that explores new-build options, preferably on a site at Bray Road.

In the meantime, the reception year increase for 2012 will help parents who are anxious to secure places at this successful and heavily over-subscribed school in the east of the town.

Cllr Eileen Quick, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Oldfield is one of the borough's most popular and Ofsted-rated excellent schools - and figures show that demand will keep on rising in the years ahead. We have a responsibility to explore ways of offering new and better solutions so that good schools can continue to flourish and cater for larger numbers of pupils.

"We are listening to parents and to the school community and we are committed to finding a solution that will enable Oldfield to grow and maintain standards.

"Providing temporary classrooms will double the number of the reception intake in 2012 but in the longer term we want to work towards providing a new 60-children-per-year-group school on a local site.

"This will be a huge financial commitment and cabinet has asked for a detailed report on the options in March. At that stage we will have the information we need to take a decision on how to take this forward in a way that not only meets the council's commitment to expanding popular and over subscribed schools but also enables us to use council taxpayers' money effectively."

Site options for a new Oldfield include Bray Road a short distance from the existing school and Braywick Meadows in Braywick Park.

Notes:
1. The full cabinet reports with background information are available at www.rbwm.gov.uk (under Council Meetings)
2. The temporary classrooms will subject to planning permission.

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