Primary School Expansions 2013

Overview

In recent years there has been a marked upturn in the numbers of children born in the Borough, we have already had to increase capacity during the last two years through the provision both of temporary and permanent accommodation to meet the additional demand for places at reception year. This increased demand is projected to continue up to 2013 and beyond.  The Local Authority has a core duty to ensure there are sufficient places to meet the needs of its children and families and therefore it is obliged to plan for the expansion of its school capacity.

Why your views matter

We have to increase the number of primary school places to meet additional demand. We believe that the proposals should ensure that every Sutton child requiring a school place will get one.

Public consultation on the possible expansion of up to 5 primary schools took place from mid March to the mid May 2012. We set out specific proposals for school expansions in the consultation document. These places should come into operation for September 2013. Feedback on the proposals was generally positive, although there were concerns expressed at certain schools about possible overcrowding and impacts on traffic congestion.

The Council’s Children, Family and Education Committee considered the matter at its meeting on 21 June and agreed to publish formal proposals for the permanent expansion of four schools. These are:

Amy Johnson Primary

Avenue Primary

Bandon Hill Primary

St Mary’s Catholic Nursery and Infant

What happens next

Statutory Notices for the permanent expansion of the four schools will be published on 6 September. There will then follow a four week consultation (representation) period, when comments on the proposals may be submitted to the Local Authority. This consultation period will end on 4 October. 

Any responses will be carefully considered and a decision taken on the proposed expansions should be made by November for implementation in September 2013.