Expansion plans for four local schools in the centre of Southend have been unveiled to parents and pupils.
The plans have been put together to meet increasing local demand in the central Southend area.
The proposals are to permanently provide additional primary places in central Southend by 30 places on a year by year basis from September 2015.
The expansion plans, which will involve building and development works, are for:
Jacqui Lansley, the Council’s Head of Service with responsibility for school place planning and school capital, said:
“The population within central Southend has been rising for five years and the council has been working with local school to meet demand through the use of temporary expansions, raising admission numbers on a temporary basis and refurbishing and expanding existing buildings.
“However, there is a predicted shortfall of planned places for 2015 and beyond, with birth rates predicted to rise further. This is and will limit parental choice, with parents having to compromise on their school choices.
“We are therefore formally consulting with local parents and residents on plans to extend and permanently increase the admission numbers to these schools. The schools proposed for expansion are popular, will increase the chances of parents getting their preferred places in this area of Southend and ultimately increase parental satisfaction.
“These plans will see all the schools facilities improved, new staff employed offering a further range of expertise and more local places for local children that we hope will reduce the need for parents and their children to travel.”
Public meetings will be held as follows:
The plans have been put together to meet increasing local demand in the central Southend area.
The proposals are to permanently provide additional primary places in central Southend by 30 places on a year by year basis from September 2015.
The expansion plans, which will involve building and development works, are for:
- Hamstel Infant and Junior Schools
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
- St Helen’s Catholic Primary School
- The Federation of Greenways Schools
Jacqui Lansley, the Council’s Head of Service with responsibility for school place planning and school capital, said:
“The population within central Southend has been rising for five years and the council has been working with local school to meet demand through the use of temporary expansions, raising admission numbers on a temporary basis and refurbishing and expanding existing buildings.
“However, there is a predicted shortfall of planned places for 2015 and beyond, with birth rates predicted to rise further. This is and will limit parental choice, with parents having to compromise on their school choices.
“We are therefore formally consulting with local parents and residents on plans to extend and permanently increase the admission numbers to these schools. The schools proposed for expansion are popular, will increase the chances of parents getting their preferred places in this area of Southend and ultimately increase parental satisfaction.
“These plans will see all the schools facilities improved, new staff employed offering a further range of expertise and more local places for local children that we hope will reduce the need for parents and their children to travel.”
Public meetings will be held as follows:
- Hamstel Infant and Junior Schools – Monday 2nd June – 3pm-6pm in the Infant school hall
- Federation ofGreenways – Tuesday 3rd June – 3pm-6pm in the Junior School Hall
- Sacred Heart – Wednesday 4th June – 3pm-6pm in the school
- St Helen’s – Thursday 5th June – 3pm-6pm at the school
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