Proposed new Chaddesden primary welcomed
PLANS for a new primary school in Chaddesden to replace two existing schools were backed by city councillors last night.
The proposal to merge Chaddesden Park infant and junior schools is part of a £50m review of primary education in Derby over the next 14 years.
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MERGER AHEAD: These two schools could be replaced by a new building .
Chaddesden, Oakwood and Derwent is the first area to go under the spotlight.
The merger idea, along with plans to reduce pupil numbers at several other schools in the three areas, were accepted by Derby City Council's cabinet last night.
Mike Grimmett, head of Chaddesden Park Junior School, welcomed the news, saying: "I feel that the proposal for a brand new primary school would give us a fantastic opportunity to further enhance the current good practice at both the Chaddesden Park schools.
"Being able to have an input into the design of the building would enable us to have a new state-of-the-art school, best suited to the future needs of the children in the Chaddesden area."
The public would be formally consulted on the scheme but if the merger went ahead, a new 420-place primary school would probably be built in the next four years.
One of the existing schools would be officially closed and the age range of the other expanded. Further details, including which school would close and where the new school would be sited, have not been revealed.
Mr Grimmett said: "The current buildings are at the end of their life expectancy and are becoming more and more expensive to maintain."
Darren Smith, 43, whose daughter Amy, six, attends the infant school, backed the idea of a new building.
He said: "I also think that having a school that goes right through from infant to the end of junior will make things better for the children."
The council plans to reduce surplus places at Beaufort Primary – by cutting the number of children admitted each year from 54 to 45 – and Derwent Primary, by cutting admissions from 45 to 30.
At Roe Farm Primary, the admission number would be reduced from 50 to 45 and at Meadow Farm Primary from 45 to 30.
No changes are proposed at the eight other schools in the area because admission numbers and school sizes "seem appropriate", according to the council.
Proposals to change the admission numbers can be implemented from September 2010.
Councillor Les Allen, city council cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The area review has provided an opportunity to re-visit and update our current primary school provision.
"If funding becomes available in 2012, we will consult on building a new primary school to meet the needs of the local community."
The proposals are part of the national Primary Strategy for Change project, looking at surplus places, building problems, deprivation and poor results.
The next area to be reviewed will be Alvaston and Boulton.
3 Comments
by angela, Derby
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 9:30AM
“Rams fan, yes I agree but the point I was making is to do with cutting school places which invariably leads to them being closed in the future, these being the ones near where they live. The other point is it is infant and junior ie 5-11 year olds not secondary children and no sane parent would allow a 5year old to go to school on their own.”
by Rams fan, Kilburn
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 9:13AM
“I went to Chellaston School and had to walk a mile there and back every day, whether it was raining, snowing, or mind-bogglingly windy. My mum is a children's nurse and my dad works at Rolls Royce so I could never bank on a lift, and there wasn't a bus service available to me, so I just had to grit my teeth and walk.
It's all well and good saying a couple of miles walk in pouring rain will be no picnic but so what? Kids should be encouraged to stop moaning, lace up their shoes and get walking.”
by angela, Derby
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 8:19AM
“The building of a new school to merge infants and juniors may seem great, and it certainly is to those living near them but, and its a big but, the other schools in Chaddesden are having their places cut, no doubt prior to being closed at some time in the not too distant future. Where will these children then go to school? Yes, thats right to this nice new state of the art school they are going to build. Think of the distance this will entail to get your children to school. Will you get a school bus? Oh wait , this same council is trying to stop school transport so no you won't. It will be your responsibilty to get them there. By reducing the number of places at other schools in the Chaddesden area they are forging the way to ultimate closure. Don't let them, fight to keep your schools local to you, a couple of miles walk to school in pouring rain will be no picnic. This is no way restricted to Chaddesen, the next phase is Alvaston and Boulton.”