Consultation on more primary school places in Maidenhead

What are the proposals?

• The options for new primary school places in Maidenhead were:
  • to return the former Forest Bridge/Oldfield primary school site on Chiltern Road to primary school use.
  • to expand Larchfield Primary and Nursery School from 30 to 60 places per year group.
  • to expand Lowbrook Academy so that it has 60 places in all year groups.
  • to expand St. Luke's Church of England Primary School from 45 to 60 places per year group.
  • to expand St Mary's Catholic Primary School from 45 to 60 places per year group.
• The outcome of that consultation was reported to Cabinet in November 2021 (see item 6c).
• Cabinet also considered a report on the latest demographic information (see item 6b), which explained that demand was now lower than expected.
• Due to the impact of the pandemic, the longer-term demographic picture is uncertain. 
• It is likely that, due to new housing, new primary school places will still be needed in South East Maidenhead in the next few years.
• Cabinet agreed, therefore, that:
  • in principle, a new primary free school should open on the Chiltern Road site.  The process to open a new school will start once pupil projections show a clear demand for new primary school places in the area.
  • temporary use of the site may be considered, and a budget for refurbishment and remodelling of the site has been agreed to allow this to happen, ahead of the site being returned to primary school use.
  • the other options for new primary school places at Larchfield, Lowbrook, St Luke's and St Mary's schools will be kept under review.
• This strategy will be revisited in Autumn 2023.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any questions about the proposal, please email us at schoolplaces@achievingforchildren.org.uk.