Flax Bourton Primary School to double in size after North Somerset Council approves extension plan
Flax Bourton Primary School could double in size to cope with a demand for spaces. - Credit: Archant
A North Somerset primary school is set to double in size after the local authority approved its expansion plans.
Headteacher Jane Bennett and Mike Usher MD of TPS Construction with members of the school council. - Credit: Archant
Places available at Flax Bourton Church of England Primary School will rise from 105 to 210 from September 1, 2018 after the council rubber-stamped the idea.
Jan Barber, the council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, has signed a decision notice to confirm the expansion will go ahead.
The proposals were first recommended for approval by the council’s children and young people’s services policy and scrutiny panel in August last year.
The school, in Station Road, has agreed the number of pupils on its roll will increase incrementally year on year, rather than a wholesale change in capacity, to support the stability of schools in nearby villages.
The council has awarded the school with funding of £1million until the end of the 2017/18 financial year for site enhancements to cater for the extra pupils.
The current facilities can accommodate a maximum of 150 pupils following a classroom extension in 2015.
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A subsequent review of the school site found a three-classroom extension; a new kitchen and other site changes at an added cost of £800,000 are required for an expansion to 210 pupils to be viable.
Further funding was also allocated for the purchase of land to build on, and these additional costs were approved by the council’s executive in October.
The proposals received backing from school governors, the parish council and the Diocese of Bath and Wells – the site trustees for the school – in December.
Tess Gale, director of education for the diocese, said: “The diocese is very happy to support the decision of the governing body to increase the capacity of its school to 210 places.
“It is clear that the population is growing in the area, and it is important for all local children to have the option to attend a local school.”
The Times contacted Flax Bourton Primary School for a comment on the expansion plans, but did not receive a reply at the time of going to press.
