Primary school plans to increase pupil intake (From Watford Observer)

Primary school plans to increase pupil intake in Watford, South Oxhey and Croxley Green

5:23pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

Three primary schools in Watford, South Oxhey and Croxley Green could be expanded as county politicians grapple with a looming admissions crisis.

Under plans discussed today, Watford Central Primary School’s intake could go from 30 to 60 pupils, Oxhey Wood Primary, in South Oxhey, could expand from 51 to 60 places and Yorke Mead, in Croxley Green, could be expanded from 30 to 60 pupils.

The expansions are expected to be ready by September 2014 and are part of £21m programme to create 249 school places across the country.

The current plans were discussed by Hertfordshire County Council’s education and skills panel today and its proposals will be considered by ruling cabinet on April 22.

The shortage of primary school places means south west Hertfordshire is also facing a potential secondary admissions crisis over the coming years.

Council documents showed the Three Rivers area was due to be the worst affected as it is currently on course for a -3.6 per cent place deficit starting in 2014 if nothing is done.

A shortage of places of -2 per cent would then hit Watford in the academic year starting 2015 and a shortage of -2.5 per cent will take hold in the Bushey area in year starting 2017.

Politicians have agreed to start looking at ways to head off a secondary shortage over the coming months.

Frances Button, cabinet member for education and skills said: "While the programme of primary school expansions in 2012 is complete and that for 2013 is progressing well, forecasts have estimated that additional places will be required in some areas of the county for September 2014.

"Hertfordshire, like many other local authorities, has seen a significant rise in the number of reception age children registered with GPs since the original forecasts were produced.

"The proposed 2014 programme will enable us to provide the right number of places in the right location while making sure that the expansions are feasible, affordable and maintain the quality of our schools."

Parents can now have their say on the primary school expansion in an online consultation, which ends on March 20. For more information visit hertsdirect.org.