Why is Whiteley short of primary school places?

15th April 2008

The Parish Council has concerns that neighbouring schools are filling up, leaving insufficient places for Whiteley children unable to secure a place at Whiteley Primary. A request for an update on the situation from HCC yielded this response to the email below.

From Ian Lawson School Organisation Officer, Hampshire County Council Children's Services Department  ian.lawson@hants.gov.uk

Thanks. I can now give you a full reply.

1. We are not planning to alter our current policy to provide Year R places at other schools in the area if a place is not secured at Whiteley Primary. We are satisfied that there is sufficient capacity at schools in the Western Wards or Titchfield to cater for the demand.

2. The central government funding that had been allocated to the second Whiteley Primary School project was time limited. That time limit has long passed so the funding is no longer available.

3. We have been following the proposals for the redevelopment of Whiteley Village, but have had no approach from the landowners, or from any local councillors. The only area within that site that could be large enough for a school is proposed for housing and is land that USS previously were not prepared to sell to the County Council for a school.

4. In view of the stage that Winchester City Council's LDF has reached, this is not the right time to revisit the longer term strategy. That will have to await the publication of the Preferred Options later this year.

March 2008

From: Whiteley PC Sent: Saturday, March 29,2008 12:46 PM

To:ian.lawson@hants.gov.uk Subject:Whiteley Primary School places

Please could you advise whether there are plans to alter the current policy of providing Year R places at other schools in the area if a place is not secured at Whiteley Primary? Councillors are concerned that all local schools are nearing capacity.

Many thanks for your help. Regards Nicki Oliver Parish Clerk 

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