New school opens

THE long awaited Peacehaven Community School could transform the town into a centre of educational excellence, says a county councillor.

The school, next to the Meridian Centre in Greenwich Way, opened its doors to its first students on Friday.

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Parents and community leaders campaigned for more than 30 years for the school. It is part of a 30 million scheme which also includes a new nursery at Meridian Primary School and the rebuilding of Telscombe Cliffs Primary, Hoddern Junior, and Peacehaven Infants Schools.

Peacehaven Community School headteacher Fiona Wright said: It is an exciting and challenging time for all concerned.

East Sussex County Council member for Peacehaven John Livings, who is chair of the council s education and scrutiny committee, said excellent school facilities and low house prices in the area could transform the town, attracting more young families and the best teachers.

The potential there is absolutely wonderful for Peacehaven to become a centre of educational excellence. We are absolutely thrilled. We have fought for this school for 30 years.

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However, he added: The concern is that the school will be very oversubscribed from now on with the influx of new residents in to the town.

It had been forecast the new school would take 150 pupils a year until it met its capacity of 750 pupils. But due to its popularity this year s intake has been increased to 180 and the county council is investigating the possibility of taking 900 pupils by 2005.

Community

Until now Peacehaven children were forced to travel to Tideway School in Newhaven or Seaford Head Community College.

The new school has been developed under the Government s Private Finance Initiative and is the first of its kind to create a new school and cover all the neighbouring schools serving a community.

The consortium of private companies which built the school will also manage all its facilities.