Plans are underway to address the growing shortage of secondary school places in West Bridgford.
Documents released show that Nottinghamshire County Council is preparing to fund feasibility studies into expanding West Bridgford School.
The report, presented by the Service Director for Green Growth, Investment, and Assets, seeks approval to increase the school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 222 to 270 students.
The East Midlands Education Trust (EMET), which oversees West Bridgford School, is set to receive £63,700 in grant funding to investigate potential expansion solutions. A further £10,000 has been earmarked for the ARC Partnership to review and monitor the proposals on behalf of the Council, bringing the total expenditure to £73,700.
According to pupil data, the West Bridgford area faces a deficit of approximately 949 secondary school places by the academic year 2029/30. The issue has been exacerbated by a rising number of families seeking education within the popular West Bridgford area, known for its high-performing schools. However, ongoing works at Rushcliffe School and South Wolds Academy are expected to reduce this shortfall to between 400 and 450 places.
The County Council has explored various options to address the shortage. A previous proposal to construct a new school at Regatta Way was deemed unfeasible due to difficult site conditions, which led the focus back to expanding existing schools, including West Bridgford School. This expansion is seen as a critical step in the Council’s responsibility to ensure sufficient school places for local children, especially considering the limited scope for new school construction in the area.
The financial backing for the expansion study will come from the School Places capital programme, which falls under the Education and SEND portfolio. The Council’s decision to partner with EMET aims to ensure that the planned expansion is both feasible and sustainable, aligning with their statutory duty to provide adequate educational infrastructure. If there is any underspend on the grant, the Council intends to recover these funds from EMET.
The expansion proposal is particularly timely, as concerns over the potential impact of insufficient school places are already being felt within the community. With growing housing developments and an increasing population, ensuring a well-prepared educational framework has become a key priority for local authorities.
The report underscores that, while other options were considered, the expansion of existing schools is the most viable path forward. Not only does it avoid the difficulties of building a new facility, but it also leverages the existing strengths of local educational institutions.
The feasibility studies will determine how best to expand West Bridgford School’s facilities and accommodate the increased intake. The ARC Partnership will play a crucial role in assessing the proposals to ensure they meet the needs of the community while providing a cost-effective solution.
With 2029/30 fast approaching, the urgency to address the secondary school place shortage is evident. Nottinghamshire County Council’s commitment to expanding West Bridgford School marks a significant step in ensuring that local children have access to quality education without the pressure of travelling outside their community. As feasibility studies progress, the focus will be on delivering a sustainable solution that meets both current and future educational demands in West Bridgford.
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