Primary school asked to grow by 50 per cent to take on 210 more children
By Andrew Merrell | 11th May 2018
A county primary school is being asked to grow by more than 50 per cent to cater for the growing numbers of children in Gloucestershire.
Leckhampton C of E Primary School is now consulting on plans to expand its intake of pupils from 2019/20 from 420 pupils to 630.
Growth in pupil numbers is predicted to be over the course of six years until 2025, should the work go ahead.
According to the council document Strategic Review of Primary Education Planning Areas to the Central, South & West of Cheltenham, the local authority has been aware of pressure mounting on the school system to accommodate more numbers for more than a decade.
"In 2007 the birth rate in Cheltenham Borough began an upward trend - with data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) suggesting these trends will be sustained well into the future.
"There has been pressure on local primary school places in Cheltenham since 2011," said the document.
Birth rates first jumped in 2007 in the county and beyond and in 2008 reached 708,708 nationwide, their highest level since 1972 when they were 725,440.
The county council has already identified the need for a new £30million secondary school for the area to help meet this growing demand for school places, and this expansion would complement those plans.
Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for growth, skills and the economy at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We know that there is a need for extra school places in Cheltenham, and these proposals would help to meet the demand over the coming years.
"It is really important that we hear from as many people as possible. Whether you're the parent of a current pupil of the school, or if you have children that would be starting school in the coming years - have your say."
Cllr Iain Dobie, local member for Leckhampton and Warden Hill, said: "I urge the people of Leckhampton to take this opportunity to make their voice heard.
"As both county councillor for the area and a former parent governor of the school, I know how important this decision will be for the community."
An expansion of Leckhampton C of E Primary School would follow in the footsteps of expansion at other county schools, such as Kingsholm in Gloucester, which saw numbers grow by similar proportions.
The consultation launched yesterday (May 8th) and runs until June 5th 2018.You can leave your views here www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/leckhampton
Leckhampton C of E Primary school is due to hold a drop in session for anyone who would like more information on Wednesday 16 May, 3pm - 6pm.
A final decision on the proposals will be made in the Autumn.
Picture credit: Imagery ©2018 Google maps, Map data ©2018 Google
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