Staples Road School expansion

Residents fear greater traffic chaos

Planning consent consultation still awaited

An open meeting is to be held on Thursday 5 June to hear details of proposals to extend Staples Road Primary School.

Both the school and the council have circulated residents with outlines of the proposal.

Said headteacher Veronica Wallace: “We hope you will support the school in providing much needed places.”

If the plans go ahead the school will be expanded to accommodate increased pupil numbers from September 2015. The new classrooms are likely to be built in place of a disused toilet block and a dismountable classroom.

Staples Road is currently what is known as two-and-a-half form entry with 75 pupils commencing school in the reception class (a form equating to 30 pupils).

To cope with a predicted future shortfall of places in the area in coming years the council has secured funding to expand the school by half a form (15 places) meaning next September (2015) 90 pupils would start in reception.

With an additional 15 children starting each year in subsequent years, overall pupil numbers would ultimately rise from 525 to 630.

Interestingly, at the end of April it was revealed that a total of 32 children living in the catchment area for the school have just been refused admission at Staples Road for September 2014 due to a shortage of places – already 17 more than even the extended school could accommodate. Whether or not an additional 15 places is going to be enough in the long term is questionable although, it is unlikely that consideration would be given to extending Staples Road yet further.

Some residents have already expressed concern about the impact the increased numbers will have from 2015 and ultimately when another 105 parents could feasibly be dropping children off at school in a narrow road and congested area.

Once the decision has been made expect to see planning notices at the school in the next month or so as well as in the local paper. The application will be determined by Essex County Council but will then need planning permission  from Epping Forest District Council which will provide Loughton Town Council, residents and the Hills Amenity Society to comment on the merits of the building proposals.

 

 

 

Although the education needs consultation ended on 6 February, you can still view the documents by clicking here