Expansion plan for ‘cramped’ primary school

East Sussex County Council says some of the classrooms at Westfield Primary are ‘cramped’ and the school is in urgent need of more space.

The council wants to expand four classrooms and carry out internal refurbishment, including expanding an office, and additional external works.

Westfield Primary, in Main Road, has a capacity of 200 spaces.

But as of October 2012, there were 217 pupils on the school roll.

The education authority says that rising birth rates and recent and planned housing developments in Hastings, Westfield and the surrounding area were to blame for the rise in pupil numbers.

A design and access statement from East Sussex County Council said: “As a one form entry primary school, Westfield School has seven classrooms (one per year group).

“However two of the rooms are significantly undersized which is beginning to impact on teaching as the school grows.

“Two further classrooms are slightly undersized.

“The school has sufficient space for expansion.

“Expansion will give the school the capacity for its current pupil levels as well as providing necessary level access points across the site.”

The plans also include improved site access for pedestrians, safer routes around the school site and improved disability access.

ESCC statement concludes: “It is hoped that the new enlargement allows the school to continue and build on delivering the highest quality of education within inspirational spaces.”

The full plans can currently be viewed on the Rother District Council website.

Members of the public are invited to have their say on the plans for Westfield School before May 21.

A decision on the plans will be made by Rother District Council’s planning committee at a later date.