Worplesdon Primary School

Feedback updated 24 Oct 2017

Results updated 24 Oct 2017

Surrey County Council has carried out a consultation with relevant stakeholders and issued consultation documentation regarding the proposal to expand the junior provision at Worplesdon Primary School by one form of entry, to three forms of entry in September 2016.

The education consultation period was from 3 July 2014 to 15 August 2014. There were also two public meetings held at the school on 14 July 2014, after which Statutory Notices were issued. In excess of 50 people in total attended the public meeting, including parents, residents and other interested parties.

A total of 50 formal written responses were received during the consultation via the Surrey Says website, post and email. The responses included 26 from local residents and 16 from parents.

The response rate to the consultation was fairly high for consultation exercises of this nature.

There was consensus through the consultation responses and the public meetings that additional school places are needed within the local area. However concern was raised at both the public meeting and in the written responses to the proposed expansion particularly with regard to traffic and parking.

Of the 50 written responses, 21 agreed with the proposal to expand the school, 18 disagreed with the proposal to expand the school and 11 did not know or offer a position.

Of the 18 responses that disagreed with the proposal, 14 explained that they were in support of the need for more places at the school but disagreed on the grounds of the traffic and parking concerns.

Concern about the proposal can be summarised in three areas:

Size of school - concerns over the increase in size of the school and the impact on teaching and learning.  The head teacher and governing body fully support the proposal and are confident that teaching and learning standards and the ethos of the school will be maintained.

New building/facilities - concerns over proposed two storey building which might overlook neighbouring properties or be intimidating for younger children; loss of outdoor space; whether kitchen and library are large enough.  Experienced architects are carefully considering building design and position, and working with planners to ensure optimal building design and minimal loss of outdoor space.  The school is confident that kitchen and other communal facilities will be able to cope with increased number of children.  The school hall will be expanded, which will increased dining space.

Traffic, access and parking - the school is on a residential estate with one point of access to the busy A323.  There are ongoing issues regarding parking and traffic at drop off and pick up.  A number of suggestions were raised at the public meeting and in the responses, e.g. designated drop off/pick up, bus service, walking bus, and improving other routes (e.g. footpaths and crossing points).  The development programme will consult with the highways department, and a detailed travel survey prepared.  This widely held concern will be address through the planning application process.

The Surrey County Council Member for Schools and Learning has reviewed the comments made during the consultation period and has approved that the expansion proceeds.

Files:

• Worplesdon Cabinet Report FINAL.docx, 88.2 KB (Office Word 2007 XML document)

Links:

• http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=4109