Cheshire East Council is working with the management team at Wilmslow High School to increases the number of places available.
At a recent meeting with local councillors and management at Wilmslow High, senior local authority officers outlined the programme of work under way to increase the size of the school to meet the local demand for secondary school places.
The impact of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy will require the school to expand and there have been some concerns raised within the Wilmslow community that there will not be sufficient places for children to attend their local school.
The scheduled work under way is being phased in to meet the immediate need and then respond to the demands associated with planned housing developments in Wilmslow and Handforth.
Year 7 intakes for last year and for September 2018 have been increased to 330 pupils. However, of the total number who requested Wilmslow High School as their first choice only 86.7%% were successful, with 50 students losing out.
This increase in pupil numbers will see an initial investment of over £650,000 to improve facilities across the school – none of which are temporary buildings.
Future phasing will see further significant investment on the school site by the council as part of planning for the future secondary education provision for the local Wilmslow community. This will include funding resulting from housing developments, which is known as section 106 financial contributions, as well as grant allocations into the council.
Councillor Jos Saunders, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: "The considerable work already undertaken is geared towards meeting both the short-term needs of the school as well as planning for the long term. This important work is being planned and delivered in full consultation with the school and is supported by local members.
"Having sufficient school places for every local school is a priority for the council and this programme typifies the work which is under way across the borough. All local Wilmslow parents and families should be reassured that we are fully committed to meeting their needs through a sustainable and creative building programme."
Dr James Pulle, headteacher of Wilmslow High School, said: "Meeting the needs of the local community is one of the core beliefs of the school. Having a real input into the capital investment for the school is essential and there is a real commitment and excitement to continue to grow and expand our successful school.
"The newly-completed external dining facilities are an excellent example of investment, which all pupils will benefit from and I look forward to finalising future phases of work, which allows us to deliver the very best educational opportunities for every learner.
"Consideration of new access points on to the school site and linking into local cycle initiatives shows that this expansion programme is more than just buildings. Addressing access and transport issues is key to meeting increasing pupil numbers."
Comments
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The area ear-marked for senior living by Handforth Dean, the area just of Station Road roundabout near Lidl and the Refuge Assurance Building land off Alderley Road to name but a few...
From what I understand, the external extension to High Options was not being utilised by pupils and the money would’ve probably been better spent on some lunchtime supervisors during break-out times in already suitable existing areas around the school, rather than disallow students to even use those existing areas.
Rant over.
It is ridiculous that 11 year olds move from a school with between 125 and around 400 pupils to a school with 330 (at present) per year.
The blinkered approach has ignored the fact that another school, preferably in Handforth, has been needed for several years. When another 3-4000 "cookie cutter" boxes have been quickly chucked up where will another couple of thousand kids go to school. I am told that Poynton, Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme all have similar problems.
A simple answer - there is no profit in a school or a park, dentists, doctors etc. etc.
It is noted two new access points are being considered. Will these be designed to address the traffic issues currently existing for neighbours of the school as well as the dangerous situations twice a day on the A34 bypass? Is it possible the new access points could be from the bypass allowing for a one way system through the school, as well as accessing the Royal London development site, as suggested by Residents of Wilmslow (RoW)? There are a lot of neighbours around Holly Roads, Leaside and Alderley Road etc who will rejoice if this is the case. Also, there is the almost ready to go to press Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan (WNP) to be considered.
Is it possible we get a good decision coming out of CEC on this one or is it more likely one that further stresses the infrastructure and the people of Wilmslow?
That's exactly what I told the Independent Examiner when I spoke at the public hearing of the CEC Local Plan Core Strategy.
Unfortunately, he obviously didn't agree with us.
Can I suggest that the Parents Teacher Association would be my first point of call.
Contact details can be found at https://bit.ly/2IU0fr0
However, these plans have been several years in the making and I suspect that they are alreeady cast in stone that will be almost inpenetrable.
Good luck.