Gordano School in talks to increase pupil intake

School governors have been in discussions with North Somerset Council over the proposed expansion and have agreed in principle that admission numbers will increase from 308 to 336 from September 2018.

It has also been agreed that the school will be able to accept more pupils than its new proposed number during breach years when demand is higher.

Gary Lewis, headteacher, said: “We have carefully considered the implications of a higher school population both organisationally and in terms of facilities and we are developing a scheme that should address the physical needs of the school.

“Gordano is already a large school and I am very confident that our tight pastoral system and strong culture of leadership across the school will continue to serve us well as we take a further step in expansion.

“We have considered alternatives to expansion which would be setting a more confined geographical catchment and which would exclude some areas of Portishead and Portbury from our intake area but these seem completely unacceptable to me as Gordano has long enjoyed the support of the whole community.

“Moreover, the unity in our secondary education has, I believe, been a significant factor in maintaining the harmony and good relationships which have characterised the very successful expansion of Portishead as a town in recent years.

“We have always felt that our most important role is in serving Portishead and Portbury as the local school and I am very grateful that parents and families within our area also feel a strong sense of loyalty to Gordano.”

The consultation period for the proposals will run until July 19 while an open meeting will be held at the school’s sixth form lecture centre at 6.30pm on June 30.

The final decision will be made by either the Regional Schools Commissioner or the Government’s education secretary, Nicky Morgan.

Anyone who wants to attend the meeting should email Shirley Boden at sboden@gordanoschool.org.uk