Parents and residents given chance to have their say on Southampton schools (From Daily Echo)

Parents and residents given chance to have their say on Southampton schools

7:10am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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PARENTS and residents are being given the chance to have their say on plans to expand up to 19 schools in Southampton.

As previously reported, council bosses say 2,900 new places must be created at the city’s primary, junior and infant schools within the next eight years to cope with a boom in birth rates.

They have launched a six-week consultation on the plans which would allow for 355 extra pupils in reception classes across Southampton by September 2012.

Of those extra places, 160 would be available by this time next year.

The scheme comes after the council last year began work on creating 1,000 extra places at schools in the city centre and Freemantle areas which have been most affected by the increase in the birthrate.

Council officials warn that the increased capacity is urgently needed or the city will not be able to accommodate all the children reaching school age.

Schools boss Councillor Paul Holmes said: “We have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of children being born in Southampton.

“At the same time, more families are choosing to stay in the city when their children reach school age and less parents can afford private education.

“All of this is creating pressure on our education system.”

Head teachers have already been asked for their views on the plans, but the council is now looking for feedback from parents and wider communities served by the schools.

The council has already ruled out building new schools to cope with the extra demand, saying there are no suitable sites and no chance of getting Govern-ment funding for building projects.

As part of the consultation, which runs until October 26, officials will be holding drop-in sessions where people can find out more about the schemes and have their say.

The responses will be used to help decide on a final set of plans, which will then be the subject of a second consultation period early next year.