600 New Primary School Places For Portsmouth

4 June 2013, 10:04

Plans have been revealed to create more than 600 new primary school places in Portsmouth.

Education chiefs have agreed to expand the numbers at six primary schools in the city.

There is predicted to be significant demand for primary school places in the city over the next five years. This is largely due to a rise in the number of children being born in the Portsmouth, but other factors contributing to the increase include a reduction in the number of children going to schools outside of the Local Authority area, a reduction in the number of children accessing independent education, housing developments in the city and inward migration.

Forecasts show that by 2013/14 there will be insufficient places in the city for children starting school and by 2014/15 the same will apply for Year 3 places.

Plans approved this week will see 105 places created - on a temporary basis from September 2013, then permanently from September 2014 - across the following schools:

-Cottage Grove Primary School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 45 to 60. This would see the School expand from 315 to 420 places overall.

-Highbury Primary School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 45 to 60. This would see the School expand from 315 to 420 places overall.

-Portsdown Primary School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 45 to 60. This would see the School expand from 315 to 420 places overall.

-Somers Park Primary School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 45 to 60. This would see the School expand from 315 to 420 places overall..

-Stamshaw Junior School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 60 to 90. This would see the School expand from 240 to 360 places overall..

-Westover Primary School
The proposal is to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) of the School from 45 to 60. This would see the School expand from 315 to 420 places overall.

Cabinet member for Children and Education, Cllr Rob Wood, said:

"There is pressure on primary school places as a result of the growing child population. This mini boom will continue for a while so we need to take action now to expand capacity so every family has the option to go to the local school of their choice.

"As well as expanding at these six schools we are creating places at Mayfield by turning it into an all-through school for children aged 4 to 16. The school is already making excellent progress and the proposed expansion will create spaces in a way that gives good value for money as well as real benefits for pupils."

The proposals form a small part of the Council's £4.96m Capital Sufficiency Programme for School Places that was approved by Full Council on 12 February 2013.