Primary and secondary schools have received a £12million boost thanks to investment from Wokingham Borough Council, with plans in place for further future investment.
Under the Primary Capital Programme, work has been taking place over the past year at three primary schools – Hillside in Lower Earley, The Coombes in Arborfield and St Nicholas in Hurst - and all are nearing completion.
Hillside Primary School opened its new £2million buildings in September. This saw the extension of existing classrooms and hall, a new foundation stage unit, and extensive internal remodelling to bring up to the best current standards. Last month (December) a new multi-use games area was completed ready for the start of the spring term, with an investment of £180,000.
Work continues at The Coombes CE Primary School for a new classroom for reception pupils as well as a new teaching block with classrooms, facilities for disabled children and a new library. There will also be a new multi-use area, administration and staffroom facilities, as well as classroom refurbishment taking place. Pupils and staff will be moving into their new £2million facilities in February 2012.
St Nicholas CE Primary School is being rebuilt around the historic village school buildings thanks to an injection of £2million. Pupils and teaching staff will benefit from new classrooms and a new hall and they are set to move in today (January 6).
The Hawthorns Primary School has benefited from work resulting in the construction of a new classroom and refurbishment of an existing classroom, with adjacent toilet and cloakroom facilities, with a total investment of £252,000.
The Holt School in Wokingham will benefit from an investment of £300,000 to provide a new multi-use games area and construction will start early in the New Year.
Last month, approval was given to St Crispin’s School in Wokingham for a new science block, including nine science laboratories, and a multi-use games area. The £5.5million project will see construction start in February 2012 and the works are programmed to be completed by January 2013.
All buildings projects are managed by the council’s property services team.
Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for education services, said: "We are all aware of the current difficult financial times we are facing. Despite this we have been able to invest in our schools over the past few years.
"We are keen to keep this investment going and ensure the progress and improvements we have made are built upon. This level of investment is a sign of our commitment to education in the Wokingham Borough to ensure all our children and young people have the best opportunities available to them."
Further work planned for the future includes the possibility of planned expansions to three primary schools from September 2012. Under these plans, places would increase at Colleton Primary School in Twyford (from 35 to 60 places per year), Winnersh Primary School (from 60 to 90 places) and Hawkedon Primary School in Lower Earley (from 70 to 90 places). These expansions are required to give every child needing a place the best possible opportunity to attend a school near their homes.
Architects and traffic experts have been working with head teachers and governors over the past few months to complete feasibility studies for the expansion of the schools and to minimise impact on the community neighbouring each school site.
Meetings have been taking place and have been well attended by parents of existing pupils and school neighbours to discuss any concerns they may have about the plans and identify possible solutions.
The council is intending to submit planning applications on these £8million proposals in the near future. Formal opportunities to comment on the proposals will come through the planning process and through consultation on future admissions arrangements*.
In November, the council agreed a £6million investment at The Bulmershe School in Woodley to assist in accelerating further improvements in teaching and learning at the school. Investment will be targeted at classrooms and external faces of the buildings to create an attractive learning environment. This will include temporary classrooms being replaced with a new teaching block, the development of a post-16 learning centre, a remodelled library and information centre as well as a dining facility. A detailed project plan will be produced very early in 2012 to take forward the proposals, with a view to starting work on site as soon as is possible.
*Between December 2011 and February 2012, school admission authorities are consulting on the admission arrangements that will apply to children starting or transferring schools in the school year 2013/2014. Wokingham Borough Council is the admission authority for community and voluntary controlled schools within the Wokingham Borough area.
