Barford St Peter's Primary School has a current admission number of 20 places that are consistently fully subscribed with 54 applications made for 2013-2014, of which 29 placed the school as first choice.
The proposed development of 70-90 houses would inevitably generate extra numbers of children to be accommodated by the school. In addition, several areas around the catchment area for the school have been identified as potential sites for gypsies and travellers. The school is already oversubscribed and any additional children from either of these sites would be a great strain on the school.
The Preferred Options identifies the school to become a Single Form Entry school and hence accommodate 30 pupils per year/intake. This is not possible with the current infrastructure and staffing levels. There needs to be a clear strategy to ensure adequate funding to provide essential provision of built infrastructure and staff to accommodate pupils generated from new housing and potential travellers site whilst not disadvantaging current residents, pupils and their families.
Although the School has not been informed of the Proposals directly, it is understood that they have been put out for consultation. This Letter is the School's response to that present consultation. Please note that if the Proposals proceed further, the School needs to be directly consulted at each stage.