New community facility - a moving story

The wheels are in motion this week for a "house move" with a difference – and a solution to the long-awaited community facility at Larchfield School.

Plans for a new community facility at the school in Bargeman Road, Maidenhead, have moved a step closer with the news that a new "home" has been found for the venture – a modular rollalong building no longer required on its current site at Ascot racecourse which will be sited in the school grounds.

In a joint initiative between the Royal Borough and Larchfield School, the modular steel building – which formerly housed Ascot parish council offices  - will be installed in the school grounds to provide a much-needed dual-purpose facility for both school and community.

The two-roomed building with disabled toilet facilities will be used to integrate the community and school through shared facilities and provide potential opportunities and facilities for:
· sessions with school nurses
· drop-in clinics including baby weighing facilities and toddler group sessions 
· a base for care advice
· meeting place for local organisations such as the community wardens, community action group forum, citizens advice bureau, housing associations and other community groups.

The proposals – which are subject to planning permission – will involve transporting the 30ft by 10ft steel building from Ascot and re-siting it in the grounds of Larchfield School before refurbishing by painting and carpeting the interior.

Cllr Cynthia Pitteway, lead member for education, said: "This is great news for both the school and the local community at Larchfield.  Having a community facility on site will bring the community closer to the school in every way – and the school is already exploring ways to involve local residents in educational initiatives as part of their extended schools agenda.  A great result all round!"

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for community safety, said: "The council has been looking to provide a community facility for the people of Larchfield for a long time, in response to local needs.

"By having this facility right in the heart of the community we will be bringing services to where people have told us they need and want them.  The school is committed to the involvement of the wider community and we have worked closely in partnership with them to achieve this successful outcome." 

Niki Alvarado, headteacher of Larchfield School, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been able to work with the Royal Borough to bring about such an exciting project.

"We do what we say we'll do and it stands as a physical symbol of our commitment to support the community – a commitment that I made when I became headteacher last September."