Controversial school move is scrapped
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to move a primary school to a new site three miles away are to be ditched following a public outcry.
Stockport council has wound up its consultation on relocating Queensgate Primary School from Bramhall to Woodford due to the strength of feeling against the plan.
A new primary school is to be built in Woodford to serve the new estate on the former BAE systems site, following the completion of the 450th home.
It now looks certain this will be a one-form entry (30-pupil) school, mainly serving children from the ‘garden village’ development, following the recommendation of a new council report.
Town hall bosses had also put forward the suggestion of transferring Queensgate to Woodford - creating a larger ‘two-form entry’ school that would also cater for Bramhall pupils.
But that option met with strong opposition from furious parents and local councillors. More than 900 people signed a petition and Mary Robinson MP also weighed in against the proposal.
Opponents of the move said it would result in vulnerable young children having to navigate busy road crossings in order to get to school.
This would force families into using their cars for the ‘school run’, causing further congestion, while depriving youngsters of their daily exercise.
Concerns were also raised that Woodford residents would suffer the impact of the additional school traffic on a daily basis.
The recommendation to scrap the proposal to move Queensgate has been welcomed by Coun John McGahan, who represents Bramhall South and Woodford.
Speaking at a full council meeting on Thursday, he said there had been an almost unprecedented response from residents who were ‘genuinely fearful and worried about this proposal’.
“We have spoken with many, many families about how this could have impacted their lives for the worse,” he said.
“People from Woodford who moved into the village for a small community feel in a family-friendly environment and a greener future of walking kids to school.
“And families in Bramhall, full of dread at having to travel further twice every day.”
Deputy leader Coun Tom McGee said council chiefs had wanted to listen to what parents had to say - but it soon became clear the option of moving Queensgate was hugely unpopular.
“I regret that there has been disquiet in the community but I don’t think we could have ignored at the time the wish of the school coming forward, so we were trying to balance two separate things, I think,” he said.
The council will now seek a sponsor for the new free school - and is aware that at least one multi-academy trust is interested in taking ownership and managing the Woodford Garden Village school site.
A council report says it is possible for a free school operator to be in place and accepting pupils by September next year.
Applications for reception places could be made from May 2022, with children starting in September 2022 or shortly after.
However, the report warns that the new school is likely to create spare places, which could have a negative impact on pupil numbers at other primary schools in the area.
The full meeting of Stockport council was held at the town hall on Thursday night.
The council’s cabinet was due to meet on Tuesday.