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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
1000 extra primary school places agreed
March 2, 2009 10:22 AM
• RICHMOND Council's Cabinet has agreed a massive increase in the number of primary school places as a result of unprecedented demand from local children.
Seven schools are being expanded to add a further 150 places per year throughout the primary phase or 1,050 places in total. The schools are:
• Holy Trinity expanding from a one to a two form entry school;
• Orleans Infant and St Stephen's Junior are adding one form of entry.
• St Mary's and St Peter's and Chase Bridge are going from two to three form entry; and
• Stanley Infant and Junior are going from three to four form entry;
These expansions are all the more remarkable as they follow decisions by the Liberal Democrats up to 2002, when 220 extra places per annum were approved. Unfortunately, the momentum was not maintained by the Conservative administration of 2002-2006, when only Collis School was expanded providing a further 30 places per annum.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Council Leader, Serge Lourie, said:
"Our primary schools are the best in the country so we are not surprised that there has been such great demand for places. Unlike the Conservatives, we have responded positively and have agreed to spend well over £32m to provide a further 150 places a year. This is in addition to the 220 places per year we provided up to 2002 and compares with the Tory expansion of 2002-2006 which amounted to only 30 places. We are criticised by the Tories, but in education, we actually deliver. We have also made secondary schools a priority and are investing £38m in rebuilding Teddington School as well as a further £80m through the academy programme at Hampton Community College, Whitton and Shene."
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