PARENTS, carers, teachers and other interested parties are to be consulted in a major drive to find out what people think about the proposed shake-up of primary education in Warrington.
Public consultation on the recommendations in the borough council’s review of primary schools will start on Tuesday, March 24.
The review itself is designed to pump £44 million into Warrington’s primary schools over 14 years, bringing significant benefits to education and the wider local economy.
Council chiefs say spending the money would result in 45 per cent of the borough’s primary schools being modernised and that only one school – Longbarn Primary – would be closed.
In fact, the relocation of Sycamore Lane Primary, Great Sankey to a new site at Chapelford is seen by many as a second closure.
The council says the money is being directed to where it is most needed and investment will fund replacement of the schools in the worst condition.
Under the proposals, some schools will reduce in size because parental preference has led to fewer children attending those schools.
Where demand for places at particular schools has increased, the plan is to expand those schools with more places being made available.
The consultation period will last for eight weeks, closing on Friday, May 22.
A dedicated website www.warrington.gov.uk/primarystrategy will be available from March 24 where consultation documents will be available and people will be able to give their views.
All views will be considered by the council’s executive board on Monday July 13 before any final decisions about the recommendations are taken.
Norma Cadwallader, (pictured)strategic director of children’s services said: “The money being invested will help transform the learning environment in schools for local children and support the work of staff in schools to ensure that children are able to realise their full potential. If the proposals go ahead, it will mark the beginning of a long term commitment to the modernisation of schools to make them appropriate for 21st century learning.”
