Primary schools in Watford to expand under huge demand for places

However, the immediate demand for places has forced several schools to expand by 30 pupils a year.

Hertfordshire County councillor Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills: “We believe the growth figures are likely to be converted into permanent growth and we will be looking at putting further schools in at some stage.”

In 2005, two new schools – Albans Wood Primary School (one form entry) and Berrygrove Primary School (three form entry) – were created by the amalgamation of Alban Wood Infant and Junior School, Lea Farm Junior School and Meriden School. This led to the loss of 90 primary school places.

However, schools in Watford and the surrounding areas are now experiencing a rise in demand, with many having waiting lists for places.

In September last year, Holywell Primary School increased its reception intake from 45 to 60.

And this coming September, three more schools will provide an additional 30 places (one form entry) each. Laurance Haines School's reception intake will rise from 60 to 90; Beechfield Primary School, from 30 to 60; and Cassiobury Infant School from 60 to 90.

These schools were chosen as they are closest to the areas of greatest demand, central Watford, with enough space to accommodate additional pupils. Temporary accommodation will be provided.

They will also welcome an additional 30 pupils each in 2011, alongside Cherry Tree Primary School.

However, schools are concerned as it remains unclear whether the temporary expansion will become permanent.

Barbara Ridyard, headteacher at Laurance Haines, in Vicarage Road, said: “It's difficult really because my major concern is we're not a big enough site and we already have two form entries. We can accommodate an extra 30 children and we will do because there's a need but at the moment we don't know how long it will last. Maybe for two years or longer.

“It does make things uncertain but we manage. School places for children have got to be a priority.”

Lisa Rogers, headteacher at Beechfield School, in Gammons Lane, said the extra pupils would be a positive step for the school.

Miss Rogers said: “It's good for our school. We just need to be really positive about it.

“We have got 120 children in Watford that don't potentially have a school place and it's got to be done.

“The main thing for me is if these children live in central Watford, it brings up issues about attendance and punctuality, and if they are also on waiting lists at schools closer to their homes, if they start leaving one by one it will mean we lose funding that we base our staff on. Otherwise, it's a positive move. We've got the space. As long as we have the facilities it should work.”

Cassiobury Infants and Nursery School, the third school earmarked for an additional 30 reception pupils in September, objected against the expansion.

The school also sent its concerns to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.

However, despite her dismissal of the appeal in October last year, Dr Elizabeth Passmore criticised Hertfordshire County Council for not fully consulting with the school before they approved the expansion plans last March.

Keith Cook, the chairman of governors at the Bellmount Wood Drive school, said his objections concerned whether the expansion would be temporary or not. However, he said the quality of education would not be affected by becoming a three form entry school.

He said: “We're trying to secure the best deal for the children that will come under our ownership and make sure they are appropriately funded.”

Sal Brinton, Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Watford, said the shortage of places was due to the closure of two schools.

She said: “This is a hopeless sticking plaster to solve a real crisis which they [Hertfordshire County Council] created by closing schools in 2003. We warned them at the time this was dangerous and short-sighted, but they ignored us. Worse than that, they actually built housing on some of the school sites.

“What Watford needs is at least one if not two brand new primary schools, which would each have up to 420 pupils. This would start to solve the problem. Their short-sighted costly proposal for up to 41 temporary classrooms, costing around £6 million over the next seven years, not only does not help learning, but is also expensive and a waste of tax-payers money.”

Asked whether he understood any uncertainty the school's may have about the expansion, Councillor Thake said: “I cannot stress strongly enough that we would be surprised or disappointed if schools hadn't reacted the way they have. The children that go there are their customers and to have to dilute the facilities because we need to put more kids in there, it's a terrible conundrum.

“We didn't have the kids five years ago. It's that volatile. We're not doing this because we're incompetent or cavalier. We have had some serious changes that were not predictable or predicted and we have had to speak to educators who have the space and are willing to accommodate us.

“One thing we don't want to do is get it wrong because it's public money. They [the temporary classrooms] may be a waste of money but in the interim period there are young people who want education and we haven't got spaces for them.

“Should I put that money on hold until the borough councils find some space [for a new school]? If areas of land were available I wouldn't be asking them [the schools] to expand, I would be building them but I need those spaces in September 2010 and it takes four years to build a school.

“Whilst I cannot argue that this will not cost money, I have to react to what I have got now. If they're [the Lib Dems] saying don't spend the money or bus them somewhere outside of Watford, I don't think I will go down that route. They are talking nonsense.”