Proposal to Expand St John’s Green Primary School
This proposal provides relevant information in accordance with the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013.
School DetailsLocal Authority Details
St John’s Green Primary (Community School)Essex County Council
St John’s GreenSchool Organisation Team
ColchesterPO Box 4261
EssexChelmsford
CO2 7HEEssex
CM1 1GS
Description
Latest forecasts of pupil numbers for Colchester (as shown in the public consultation document issued in November 2013) indicate that, with the housing indicated in Colchester Borough Council’s Annual Monitoring report, there will be a need for up to 224 places (7½ fe) in primary schools across parts of the town by 2017.
The following table shows the potential deficit of reception places over the next four years across these areas based on data provided by the Health Authorities in Essex in January 2013 showing the number of children living in the areas registered with a GP.
Year to be admitted to Reception / 2014/15 / 2015/16 / 2016/17 / 2017/18Academic year born / 2009/10 / 2010/11 / 2011/12 / 2012/13
Number of children registered with a GP / 1793 / 1804 / 1857 / n/a
Total number of Reception places / 1546 / 1546 / 1546 / 1546
Predicted local requirement for Reception places / 1641 / 1646 / 1688 / 1662
Predicted deficit of reception places / -95 / -100 / -142 / -116
Predicted local requirement for places with potential pupils from new housing / 1684 / 1709 / 1770 / 1761
Predicted deficit with potential pupils from new housing / -138 / -163 / -224 / -215
Colchester has experienced a significant rise in the demand for places in primary schools in the last few years as a result of rising births and new housing. Primary provision in the town was increased by over 105 places a year, 3½ forms of entry (fe), from 2012 through the expansion of 9 schools. There is, however, predicted to be continued significant pressure on pupil places in the future as a result of rising births, inward migration and significant further housing development planned in North Colchester.
Pupil numbers in the locality have been closely monitored to ascertain whether the reception growth is sustained in the longer term. The latest forecastsindicate that this is the case, and therefore permanent expansion of primary provision is required to meet the forecast demand for primary places.
With the full support of the Governing Body of St John’s Green Primary School, it is proposed to expand St John’s Green PrimarySchool from 420 places (two forms of entry) to 630 places (three forms of entry) on a phased basis, from September 2014. This would enable the school to continue to admit 30 additional reception children each year from September 2014.
Current Capacity420Current Published Admission Number60
New Capacity630New Published Admission Number90
The school is popular, oversubscribed and rated Good by Ofsted. Expansion of the school will provide more places to meet the growing demand in Colchester. Expansion of the school will enable more parents to gain a place for their child at a popular, high performing school.
Consultation
A formal consultation on a proposal to expand St John’s Green Primary School from 420 places to 630 places on a phased basis was held between 6 November 2013 and 7December 2013.
A response form was made available online and the consultation document was distributed to parents of children at the school via the school. Copies of the document were also posted to other interested parties by e-mail or royal mail. Responses to the consultation could be made through the organised meetings and/or via the electronic response form, by letter or email.
A public drop in session for parents, staff, pupils and the local community was held on 26November 2013 in the afternoon and again on 26November 2013 in the evening.
Objectives
The County Council is under a duty to promote high educational standards, ensure fair access to educational opportunity and promote the fulfilment of every child’s educational potential. It must also ensure that there are sufficient schools in the county to promote diversity and increase parental choice. This is rolled up in the council’s vision to “increase educational achievement and enhance skills”.
The Commissioning School Places in Essex document for 2013-18 notes that a key role of the local authority will be to support parents and families through promoting a good supply of strong schools.
The demand for places in Colchester and the strong parental preference for the schoolmean that its expansion will help achieve the above aims.
Effect on other schools and educational institutions
The proposed expansion of the school is to meet a forecast deficit of primary places in the area. Therefore there is no foreseen effect on other schools in the area, as the expansion is proportionate to meet the forecast demand for places.
Funding
The cost of the building work required to enable the school to expand will be met by Essex County Council.
The building project for the expansion of St John’s Green Primary School will not be needed until 2018 and funding for this will be included in the capital programme at the appropriate time.
Implementation
The school will expand from 1 September 2014 on a phased basis.
Details on how to respond to proposals
Within four weeks from the date of publication (31 July 2014) you may make objections or comments in respect of this proposal in the following ways:
By post:The Executive Director: People Commissioning
c/o School Organisation, Education & lifelong Learning
Essex County Council
PO Box 4261
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1GS
By email: