Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/013

Contact: Barbara Chillman, Principal Officer – School Organisation & Planning Tel: (01865) 816459

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA 9).

New Marston Primary School is a primary school for 3-11 year-olds in the north-east of Oxford. Its catchment area includes Headley Way and Northway. Until recently the school had planned to admit 30 children each year. Due to rising numbers of children needing primary school places in Oxford, the school agreed to take more than its admission number in September 2009 and 2010. The school's admission number for 2011 was published at 60 and a decision is now needed on whether to permanently expand the school to 2 forms of entry (with an admission number of 60), requiring an enlargement to the physical capacity of the school.

In recent years Oxford has experienced a significant and sustained rise in primary pupil numbers. To meet this demand, in 2008 an additional 105 primary school places across the city were agreed; in 2009 a further primary 245 additional places were created (including 30 at New Marston Primary School); and in 2010 another 238 additional places were created (including 25 at New Marston Primary School). Looking to the future, significant additional housing is proposed in Oxford City Council’s Core Strategy, which will, in turn, lead to increased pupil numbers across the city.

The proposal to expand New Marston Primary School is one part of the County Council’s strategy to meet the need for primary school places in Oxford.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of New Marston Primary School, Oxford.

New Marston Primary School is a primary school for 3-11 year-olds in the north-east of Oxford. Its catchment area includes Headley Way and Northway. Until recently the school had planned to admit 30 children each year. Due to rising numbers of children needing primary school places in Oxford, the school agreed to take more than its admission number in September 2009 and 2010. The school's admission number for 2011 was published at 60 and Cabinet considered a report seeking a decision whether to permanently expand the school to 2 forms of entry (with an admission number of 60), requiring an enlargement to the physical capacity of the school.

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement referred to the issues raised that related to traffic and access. These issues were a concern for many of the County’s school sites. The Travel Plan was in need of an update,

RESOLVED:                        to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of New Marston Primary School, Oxford as detailed in the report.