More space planned for popular Bognor Regis school

The £750,000 plan to build more classrooms at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has been compiled to meet an increasing demand for places from parents.

West Sussex County Council and the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton have launched a consultation about the proposal.

Peter Griffiths, the council’s cabinet member for education and schools, said: “Working with the diocese, funds have been identified to cater for the expansion of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, which should reduce pressure on numbers at neighbouring schools,

“We are pleased to be working with the school and the diocese to ensure St Mary’s can provide a school place for parents who wish for an education in a Catholic setting for their children.

“People’s views are important in deciding if this is an appropriate response.

“I would encourage them to respond to the consultation.”

A confirmation of the proposal, followed by the granting of planning permission, could mean building work at the Glamis Street site starting this year.

The number of families wanting to send their children to the school exceeds the number of available places. More than 70 children were baptised in the Catholic parish of Bognor last year to keep applications for admission to the school high.

To meet this need, the expansion plan will see the school increase its intake from 34 pupils to 45 for each each year. Three new classrooms, extra playground space and staff resources will be provided.

This work will see the school’s size increase from 238 pupils to 315. Comments to the consultation pages at www.westsussex.gov.uk