Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to consider proposals for the expansion of the following schools from the start of the Autumn Term 2011

Valence Primary School

Cambell Junior School

Ripple Primary School

Thames View Junior School

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School

Further to Minute 139 (16 March 2010), received a report from the Cabinet Member for Children and Education on proposals to formalise a number of interim arrangements that had been agreed with primary school Head Teachers and Governing Bodies to meet the demand for places in the Borough.

The proposals relate to the following arrangements which would be effective from 1 September 2011:

·  Ripple Primary School - To expand from three to five forms of entry by bringing the Westbury Centre back into use as a school building, together with 26 full-time equivalent (FTE) nursery places.

·  Thames View Junior School - To expand from three to four forms entry, by providing an extension of four classrooms and expanding the existing staff room.

·  St Peter’s Primary School - To expand from one and a half to two forms of entry, through a number of internal and building alterations to add three additional class spaces.

·  Cambell Junior School - To expand from three to four forms of entry.  This to be achieved through internal refurbishment and bringing into use redundant areas of the building.

It is also proposed to create an additional three forms of entry and 39 FTE nursery places at the St George’s Halbutt Street site and noted that the permanent management arrangements for this site are currently being explored.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priority “Inspired and Successful” and in fulfilling its duty to provide every child in the Borough with a school place, to:-

(i)  The formal expansion of the Ripple and St. Peter’s Primary Schools and Thames View and Cambell Junior Schools with effect from 1 September 2011 as detailed in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to agree the permanent expansion arrangements in relation to the primary school extension at the St George’s Halbutt Street site, following appropriate discussions with relevant Head Teachers and Governing Bodies.