Walsall Children’s Services

LEIGHSWOOD PRIMARY

Proposal to significantly enlargeLEIGHSWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

from

1 September 2012

CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

June 2011

Proposal to significantly enlargeLeighswood Primary Schoolfrom 1 September 2012Introduction

Walsall Children’s Services, Serco, is undertaking public consultation on a proposal tosignificantly enlarge Leighswood Primary School from 1 September 2012.The consultation period starts on 20 June 2011 and ends on 31 July 2011. No decisions will betaken by Walsall Council until September 2011, following full consideration of the consultationresponses.

Leighswood Primary School

provides primary education for pupils between the ages of 3 and 11years. The school has 75 places in each year group and places for a total of 520 pupils(excluding the nursery class). In addition, there are 78 part-time places in the nursery class.The school is a community primary school in Aldridge.

What is the proposal?

It is proposed to increase the number of places in the Reception year group, from 75 to 90, fromSeptember 2012. The increased admission number and school intake would then move upthrough the school annually, until the 90 intake applied to all year groups. The school wouldbecome a 3 FE (Forms of Entry) school; currently it is 2.5 FE.

Why do we want to do this?

Additional places are needed at Leighswood in order to meet an increasing demand for primaryschool places in the local area. The number of places at Leighswood was recently increasedfrom 70 to 75 following the provision of some additional classrooms for junior pupils. However,the number of pupils admitted to the school has continued to exceed the admission number as aresult of successful appeals. Such a situation is extremely difficult for the school to manage andin view of the continued popularity of the school and vulnerability to successful appeals, it isproposed to increase the admission number to 90 from 1 September 2012. This will ensure thatthe vast majority of children, who live in the local neighbourhood and opt for a place at theschool, can be provided with a place at their preferred school.

Why would this be good for Leighswood Primary School?

The school’s funding would increase proportionally and in line with the increase in pupilnumbers, as a consequence additional teaching and support staff could then be employed.There would also be additional finance available to the school, to fund equipment and provideextra curriculum resources.

How would this affect pupils at Leighswood Primary School?

The impact on existing pupils would be minimal. The proposed permanent increase in receptionplaces would not be introduced until September 2012, when up to 90 pupils would be admitted.

How would this affect staff at Leighswood Primary School?

As pupil numbers increased, the school would receive additional revenue funding, to finance theadditional staff required and provide additional teaching resources. An increase in the numberof staff would allow the school to review the organisation structure of the school and share themanagement and curriculum responsibilities, across a larger group of staff.

Will there be any changes to the school building?

If the proposal goes ahead, there would be a requirement for significant capital investment at theschool in order to provide the additional teaching accommodation needed to cater for theadditional pupils and staff. As the Infant Building has three classrooms for each year group(Reception, Year 1 and Year 2), no additional accommodation would be needed for these yeargroups. However, additional accommodation would be needed for pupils in Key Stage 2 andconsideration is being given to how more classrooms and ancillary accommodation includinggroup rooms and toilets can best be provided. Any new build facilities at the school would be tothe latest standards and designed specifically to meet the needs of a 21

century schoolcurriculum.

How can I make my views known?

Consultation meetings will be held for the School Council, staff and governors onTuesday 28 June 2011 and drop in sessions will be held for parents on Tuesday 5 July 2011.Meetings will be held at Leighswood Primary School as follows:

School CouncilmeetingParentsDrop in sessionsStaffmeetingGovernorsmeeting

2.45pmTuesday28 June 20118.30-9.30am2.30-3.30pmTuesday5 July 20113.45pmTuesday28 June 20115.15pmTuesday28 June 2011

Although it may not be possible for everyone to attend these meetings, the attached consultationresponse form provides an opportunity to comment on the proposal.Please do complete the consultation response form. We do want to hear your views.Unfortunately it will not be possible to send individual replies to consultation responses;however, issues raised will be included in a report on the outcome of consultation, which will beconsidered by Walsall Council (Cabinet) later in the year.All responses should be received by 31 July 2011. A report on the response to the consultationwill be considered by Walsall Council (Cabinet) in September 2011.