Lane End Primary School

Local Authority Feasibility

1^st February 2012

 Dear Parents/Carers,

We wanted to write to all parents on behalf of the Governing Body to let you know that the Local Authority has asked us if they could carry out a feasibility study which will look at the possibility of developing Lane End to become a two form entry Primary School, starting with the intake of 2013/14.

We thought it would be helpful to let you know more about the background and why we are pleased to be working with the Local Authority on this important study.

Background

You may already be aware from the national news of the rise in birth rate across the country. This is affecting many areas, Stockport being no exception. Stockport has already seen an increased demand for Reception school places and there is pressure on school capacity throughout the local authority. This is particularly acute in certain ‘hotspot’ areas – Cheadle Hulme North (where Lane End is situated) is one of these areas. Our local area is already at capacity for reception places and the number of children needing places in future years is projected to increase quite dramatically. The Local Authority need to look at ways of making sure that there are enough school places for new Reception children near to where they live.

Why Lane End?

Lane End is a very popular school and the demand for Reception places has been rising considerably over the last few years, leaving us with large waiting lists each year. As there is such demand for places, which looks like it is set to continue, and as we have the available space on our existing site to expand, the Local Authority have asked if they can carry out this feasibility study. The Governing Body have agreed to the feasibility study after careful consideration of what this would entail and what the alternatives would be. The fact that Lane End has been chosen for this potential investment is testament to the popularity of the school and the esteem with which it is held by the Local Authority. If it were to go ahead it would represent a significant investment in the school and the local Cheadle Hulme area.

When would this be from and what would it mean for existing classes?

If Lane End were to increase to two forms of entry from the intake of 2013/14 then it would only be the intakes from this point and beyond which would increase - all existing classes would remain at one form of entry as they completed their time at the school. As the two form intakes went through the school, the school would gradually become a full two form entry primary school. 

What is a feasibility study?

The feasibility study will set out the challenges such a project would face and suggest possible ways to overcome any potential problems.  However, we want to emphasise that no major decisions have yet been made and there are no set plans at the moment; the project may, or may not, go ahead depending on the outcome of the feasibility study. It would also be subject, ultimately, to the planning application that would need to be made. The Local Authority’s study will look in detail at the school site. Plans for a modern purpose built extension sympathetic to the current building will be drawn up, showing how the building could be extended to accommodate the increased number of children. Traffic calming, safety measures and travel and parking issues will be looked at by the highways department.  Computer and ICT infrastructure and investment for the whole school would be planned for. Playground space, toilets, communal areas etc. would also be planned for within the feasibility study. All of these issues would be looked at by the planning department.

How will we communicate with parents and listen to your views?

The feasibility study will take a number of months to complete. The Governing Body is determined to be transparent and communicate effectively with parents throughout this process. We want to work with you and gather your views, opinions and questions. We have set up a section on the VLE, in the ‘Parents and Whole School’ area, where you can write your views/opinions and ask any questions you may have. Once we have a number of questions we will aim to answer these within a ‘frequently asked questions’ section. We will also arrange a parents’ meeting/drop in session with governors before the Easter holidays to look at where the study is up to. We will let you know more as we hear more.

If the plan were to go ahead this investment would benefit the local area, all of the children and create a Lane End Primary School with a modern infrastructure which could cope with future demand for places.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and views as we go through the next few months and thank you for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Ashley Elliott                                             James Twigg

Chair of Governors                                     Headteacher