Views sought on Peacehaven school expansion plans

East Sussex County Council has launched a five-week consultation on proposals to extend Meridian Community Primary School and create an additional 210 places from September 2018.

The school in Roderick Avenue currently has capacity for 420 children aged between four and 11 – 60 in each year group. The proposals would increase this to 630 places - 90 in each year group from Reception to Year 6.

Fiona Wright, the county council’s assistant director for education and ISEND, said: “Birth rates in the Peacehaven area have risen by around 45 per cent over the past decade and this, coupled with plans to build around 900 new homes in Peacehaven and Telscombe by 2030, will create a shortage of primary school places in the future.

“The proposals are a result of the county council’s detailed, advance planning. We keep track of birth rates, housing developments and other data to ensure that we are able to offer every child a suitable place at a primary school.”

Interested parties have until Friday, June 10 to give their views, which will be considered before a decision is taken by the lead member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability on whether to continue with the proposal to expand.

Should the lead member decide to continue with the proposal, a Statutory Notice would be published in the summer followed by a further four-week consultation.

To create additional places, the school premises would need to be extended to provide additional classrooms and facilities and this would be subject to the usual planning process.

To comment on the proposal visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay.

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