Primary school will meet demand for extra places

A NEW 315-place primary school planned for Edwalton and is due to open in September 2020.

Nottinghamshire County Council is inviting sponsors to submit proposals for running the school in the Sharphill Woods area near Wheatcroft Island.

The area has experienced significant population growth in recent years from the housing development of Sharphill Woods. The creation of the school will meet the projected demand for primary school places and will be built in a way that will allow for expansion in the future.

The new primary school will be a linked primary to the Rushcliffe Academy.

The design and construction of the school will provide expansion for a two-form entry primary school for up to 420 pupils, if required.

‘Free’ schools are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local councils. They set their own pay conditions for staff and can change the length of school terms and the school day. Proposals from sponsors can be submitted from this week and a community consultation will also open.

Councillor Philip Owen, the county council’s committee chairman for children and young people, said: “We want all children in Nottinghamshire to attend good schools, where they can enjoy their learning and achieve their potential.

“This new primary free school for Sharphill will offer an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum as well as breakfast clubs, sports clubs, homework clubs and music and art clubs giving pupils a wide range of high quality learning experiences which engage and stimulate pupils’ imagination.”