Extra places for primary schools in Brighton and Hove (From The Argus)

Extra places for primary schools in Brighton and Hove

11:00am Sunday 7th October 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Five primary schools are set to be expanded as education bosses look to battle a shortage of places.

To meet the projected future growth in primary pupil numbers Brighton and Hove City Council needs to find a minimum of 120 places by 2015 in Hove and a further 30 in the south of Brighton by 2014.

The local authority has now revealed plans to create an extra 30 places at both Stanford Infants in Highcroft Villas, Brighton and West Hove Infants’ Connaught annexe in Connaught Road, Hove, by September 2013.

This will mean they will both have 120 children in each school year.

An extra 30 places each could also be added to St Andrew’s CE Primary in Belfast Street, Hove, and St Mark’s CE Primary in Manor Road, Brighton, in September 2014.

Aldrington CE Primary in Eridge Road, Hove, is earmarked for an additional form for September 2015.

Terry Parkin, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “We’re committed to working in partnership with our schools to deliver the new school places that local children need.”

Bob Howitt, of campaign group Action4Kids, said: “Overall it’s positive but it’s still temporary measures.

“Some of these schools will also be selective admission as they are linked to the church.”

The issue is to be discussed at the council’s children and young people committee next Monday.

The Argus understands a majority on the panel will support the proposals.

This will begin a period of consultation with the schools, communities and, where appropriate, the dioceses.

A report to be discussed by the committee admits building a new two form school would cost between £6 million and £7 million. This does not include buying the land.

It adds the only site the council owns that is available for a new primary school in Hove is the park depot in Nevill Road, Hove.

However, under Government guidelines, any new schools must be either free schools or academies – a move opposed by the council’s Green administration.

Conservative councillor Andrew Wealls said: “If parents, schools and their local communities are supportive of expansion of these schools, I’m pleased this will go some way to increasing capacity.”