That, to ensure there are sufficient primary school places in Wokingham, the Executive agreed:

1)        to the permanent expansion of Loddon Primary School from September 2018 to offer 90 places per year and for the school to grow annually to offer 630 places, this agreement being conditional on the grant of planning consent for the scheme by 01/09/17;

2)        to the permanent expansion of Beechwood Primary School from September 2018 to offer 60 places per year and for the school to grow annually to offer 420 places;

3)        to the permanent expansion of Highwood Primary School from September 2018 to offer 60 places per year and for the school to grow annually to offer 420 places, this agreement being conditional on the grant of planning consent for the scheme by 01/09/17;

4)        to not progress with the expansion of Aldryngton Primary School for 2017 as the number of applications for Reception places in Earley has not increased as projected, and agree that the proposal will be:

·         Subject to further consultation including the consideration of alternative options for growth;

·         Returned for further consideration by Executive in the event of an increase in demand for school places in the period 2018 to 2020.

The Executive considered a report relating to Primary Strategy School Organisation Approvals which set out progress to date with the previously considered expansion schemes, the associated consultation, and the future timetable necessary to deliver school places in 2017.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services reminded the meeting about the previous relevant reports that had been considered and agreed by the Executive; which included one on shared catchment areas for 2018/19.  This item agreed a shared catchment area for Whiteknights expanding to Radstock and the designated area of Loddon to include Aldryngton; the purpose of which was to help mitigate some of the growth within these areas. 

Councillor Haitham Taylor advised the meeting that extensive consultation had taken place on the proposals for Loddon, Beechwood, Highwood and Aldryngton primary schools.  These proposals included:

·         Permanent expansion of Loddon Primary School from September 2018 offering an extra 30 places per year group making it a three-form entry school taking it up to 630 places;

·         Permanent expansion of Beechwood Primary School from September 2018 for 15 extra places per year group taking it up to a two-form entry school;

·         Permanent expansion of Highwood Primary School from September 2018 for 30 extra places per year group taking it up to a two-form entry school;

·         Not progressing with the expansion of Aldryngton Primary School for 2017 which would mean that the school would stay as a 1.5-form entry school i.e. 45 places per year group.  It was noted that the proposal would be subject to further consultation including the consideration of alternative options for growth.

Members pointed that over time the demographics of particular areas changed which the Council had to respond to.  Councillor Haitham Taylor stated that demographics actually change year on year in different areas of the Borough.  This year had seen significant growth in Woodley and the north and a reduction in numbers in the south west of the Borough.  As an example Beechwood primary school had previously reduced its planned admission number but the proposal was now to increase it.   Over the last 10 years it had found that there was a need to grow school places over the whole of the Wokingham Borough area to meet the increasing numbers of people moving into the area which was due in part to the number of houses being built. 

RESOLVED That, to ensure there are sufficient primary school places in Wokingham, the Executive agreed:

1)        to the permanent expansion of Loddon Primary School from September 2018 to offer 90 places per year and for the school to grow annually to offer 630 places, this agreement being conditional on the grant of planning consent for the scheme by 01/09/17;

2)        to the permanent expansion of Beechwood Primary School from September 2018 to offer 60 places per year and for the school to grow annually to offer 420 places;

3)        to the permanent expansion of Highwood Primary School from September 2018 to offer 60 places per year and for the school to grow annually  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124