Expansion proposals for borough schools

A number of local primary and first schools in the Royal Borough could be expanded by September 2011 to help meet the significant rising demand for places in the Royal Borough.

Accommodation to provide 30 extra primary places per year group are proposed for Maidenhead, 15 extra per year group in either Wraysbury or Datchet and15 extra first school places per year group in Windsor.

The schools being considered for expansion are:
Maidenhead
• St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary - 45 to 60 places
• Holyport CE Primary - 45 to 60 places
Windsor
• Oakfield First - 45 to 60 places
Datchet/Wraysbury
• either Wraysbury Primary - 45 to 60 places
• or Datchet St Mary's CE Primary - 30 to 45.

A report on the proposed expansion of school places will be discussed at this week's cabinet meeting (Thursday 26 August) and if members agree there will be a borough-wide consultation to get the views of parents, teachers, headteachers and local residents before a further report to cabinet in November.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's servicers, explained: "The numbers of children attending first and primary schools are set to rise over the next few years and the council needs to act now to make sure we have enough places to cope.

"We have looked closely at where demand is expected to be highest and at schools where sites are suitable for building expansion in time for next September. This has produced a list of schools which have the potential for additional classrooms relatively easily. Now we want to ask the education community - indeed anyone interested in providing the best possible education for our children - to let us have their views."

The need for additional school places is a result of the growing national birth rate. This trend is reflected locally with more than 1,600 children of reception class age living in the three areas predicted by 2013 - 300 more than in 2006. There are currently 817 places available in Maidenhead's 24 primary schools, 495 in Windsor's 14 first schools and 75 in the two schools in Datchet/Wraysbury.

Cllr Quick said: "Increasing the admission numbers at these schools will allow us to offer local places to local children. Without expansion it is highly likely that some children living in the borough would not have primary school places here in September next year.

"Our message to everyone is: Your views matter. We are putting forward our proposals about where the extra places should be but we are open to other suggestions and welcome ideas from across the community."

Discussions have been held with the headteachers and governors of the five schools. All have agreed that expansion would be possible but have yet to take a decision about whether or not they are in agreement.

Two separate consultations will be held - one for Maidenhead and another for Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury. They are scheduled to start on September and full details of the proposals and how how to comment will be available at that stage.

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