Approval given to create 300 additional primary places
PLANS HAVE been approved to expand two primary schools in West Yorkshire to provide more than 300 new places to meet demand.
Councillors were asked to approve the proposals to increase pupil numbers and expand the premises at both All Saints C of E Primary School, in Ilkley and Poplars Farm Primary School, in Bradford. The expansions will create more than 300 places at the schools over seven years.
The proposals are the latest stage in Bradford Council’s ongoing work to ensure sufficient school places are available across the district for pupils of all ages.
The authority has already created an extra 8,500 primary school places since 2010 and at the council’s executive meeting in December last year, councillors also agreed to invest more than £9m to allow Immanuel College, in Idle, Bradford, and Ilkley Grammar School to expand.
Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, said: “The council is committed to ensuring there are sufficient primary school places available across the district.
“We have already created an extra 8,500 places since 2010 but are continuing to look to expand in areas where we know more places are needed.”
Councillors at the latest executive meeting were told that although a significant number of Bradford primary schools have already increased their pupil admission numbers there is still demand for additional primary places in some areas.
They were asked to formally start the process of increasing the pupil admission number at All Saints’ C of E Primary School from 45 to 60, meaning the school’s capacity will increase from 315 to 420.
And they were also asked to increase the pupil admission number at Poplars Farm Primary School from 30 to 60, meaning the school’s capacity will increase from 210 to 420. However, following a consultation, Bradford Council has decided to postpone an expansion of Steeton Primary School.
The decision has been taken following a decision by St Joseph’s Catholic Primary to admit a temporary bulge class of 15 in September 2017 with a view to it becoming permanent in September 2018. The executive was asked to approve changes to the admissions criteria for both Sandal Primary and Silsden Primary.