Expansion plans approved

Proposals to create hundreds of new pupil places at Liverpool primary schools have been approved.

It follows a consultation about expanding schools in Norris Green, Greenbank and Mossley Hill.

Liverpool currently has enough primary school places across the city, but not in the areas of greatest demand. This is due to a rising birth rate and ongoing regeneration which means more people are moving into some areas of the city.

The cabinet approved:

• An additional form of entry at Monksdown Primary in Norris Green, enabling it to take 90 pupils per year (three classes) from September 2017, increasing capacity by 210 pupils over the next seven years. The school had already expanded from 60 to 90 places in September 2016 as a one-off to ease the pressure on places.

• Expanding Sudley Infant School in Mossley Hill from three to four forms of entry from September 2017 delivering 90 new places by 2020, and Sudley Junior School from September 2020, creating 120 new places by 2023.

Monksdown Primary School had 109 applications for 90 places in September 2016, and there are no places available at neighbouring schools in Croxteth, West Derby and Clubmoor.
Sudley Infant School is consistently oversubscribed, with 318 applications for 90 places in September 2016, and currently has 92 children on the waiting list.

Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for education, Councillor Nick Small, said: “It’s great that we’re seeing more people moving in to the city, but it is vital parents have a good chance of getting their child into a nearby school of their choice.

What we are doing here is taking action now to tackle the areas where we know there is the greatest demand, to alleviate some of the pressure.

“The schools that we have identified meet the Government’s very strict criteria for this funding including being ranked as good or outstanding by Ofsted and on a solid financial footing.

“We are committed to working with parents, staff and the local community to address any concerns over the proposals.”

A working group will be established to look at how best to mitigate additional traffic for Sudley Infant and Junior Schools such as new entrances, additional parking spaces, promoting walking and encouraging parents to park safely.
A proposal to expand St Anthony of Padua Catholic Primary School from 30 to 45 places is still subject to consultation by the school’s governing body.