Stockport Council's Executive has approved a report to expand Rose Hill Primary School in Marple in a bid to enhance primary school education in the area.
The Council is looking to invest around £7million in Rose Hill Primary School to build a new high quality educational facility for children and staff fit for the 21st century subject to planning and financial considerations. The expanded school will also include provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs in September 2009.
As part of the primary school restructure in the area Peacefield and The Dale Primary Schools will close in August 2009. Surplus places at both these schools were predicted to continue to rise by 2012. The closure of the two schools has been agreed by the Executive in order to meet Government requirements, around schools with more than 25% surplus places and the poor condition of the buildings.
The expanded school building at Rose Hill will open on two sites in September 2009, and the new school building will open in September 2011, which will replace the existing three schools, each of which are over 40 years old and in poor condition. The new building would reflect current thinking on green sustainable approaches, and offer the flexible learning spaces of contemporary designs.
The Council also recently learned that it had been successful in its bid for funding from the Government’s Primary Capital Programme subject to some modifications. This money will be used to create the new 2.5 form entry school on the Rose Hill Primary School site on Elmfield Drive.
Councillor Mark Weldon, Executive Member for Children & Young People, said: “We strongly believe that by agreeing to these recommendations it will allow the Council to provide a lasting solution for primary education in the area with enhanced facilities for children in Marple.
“The decision has been made following a thorough and detailed consultation involving the schools and the local community. However, the fall in pupil numbers meant that this decision had to be taken and we believe it is the right decision for the future of primary school education in the area.
“Both Peacefield and The Dale Primary Schools and their staff have served the pupils of Marple very well and we recognise the high levels of professionalism being shown at these schools. We will continue to work very closely with all three schools keeping them fully informed as we develop the details of the transition plan.”
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