A MALVERN Hills district school is to undergo a major expansion worth almost £1million pounds after council chiefs nodded through the major plans.
Exciting times are beckoning at Rushwick CE Primary School after Worcestershire County councillors gave the green light to go through one of its biggest developments ever.
The decision to approve the estimated £910,500 expansion means the school’s Pupil Admission Number (PAN) will go up from 20 children per year group to 30. This will allow the school to have single age groups instead of mixed aged groups.
It will also mean the building of three new classrooms and improvements made to the school entrance and its playground facillities.
The changes are expected to be implemented by September next year.
Worcestershire County Council says expanding the school’s PAN is driven by underlying demographic changes in the county and additional children arising from housing growth.
The school’s headteacher Geoff Jeffrey told the Observer of his delight of the approval.
“I am delighted that the cabinet report officers are supporting the formal proposal for the expansion of Rushwick School,” he said.
“Our initial consultation process about the proposal was carried within the school community in the Autumn. From this, it demonstrated overwhelming support for us increasing our school Pupil Admission Number (PAN) from 20 to 30.
“By increasing our PAN, it will enable the school to move to single age groups, instead of mixed aged classes. This is something I have been looking to pursue for a number of years.
“The local community rightly sees it as an exciting opportunity to enhance the overall learning environment for local children for many years to come.
“With all the housing being built locally, it is important to be able to guarantee a place for pupils within our catchment area, as well as families already with siblings in the school.”
The expansion followed a public consultation into the plans held between November and December last year.
Other schools lined up for expansion are Red Hill CE Primary School in Worcester and Wychbold First School in Droitwich.
Speaking during the county council’s latest cabinet meeting Coun John Campion, cabinet member for children and families said: “Ultimately it is right we make sensible decisions to provide the appropriate places which have come as a result of new housing across the county.
“i would see the expansion of the schools as another example of us working with the community to deliver world class and first class education in the heart of their communities.”
