To bulge or not to bulge... that was the question

You may have been aware that over the last few years, London has been facing a shortfall of school places for children, particularly in the primary sector.  Over the last three years, many Lambeth schools have been asked to accept additional children to help deal with the shortfall e.g. accepting 60 children into Reception rather than 30.  


Just before the half term holidays, we were asked by Lambeth Admissions Team to consider expanding our school to accommodate an additional 30 Reception children in September 2012.  This would mean that we would accept 90 children into Reception rather than 60.  A new temporary building would be placed on the KS2 playground next to the staffroom and the current Reception outdoor area expanded to create a new Reception space.  


We had an emergency governors meeting on Friday 1st June to discuss the proposals.  Some of the questions and answers we had are listed below


• Will this just be a one year bulge or will it be a permanent expansion?
At this stage, we are only committing to a one year bulge however, in Autumn 2012, there will be a consultation process about the possibility of Woodmansterne Primary permanently expanding to a three form entry school.  
There are a number of difficulties with a one year bulge moving through the school but this will be reviewed annually.  The Governing Body considered the impact this would have on the rest of the children in the school.  Further questions were raised about the year on year management of a bulge.


• Will it be ‘all too much’ for the children… who may already be finding it a challenge starting school?
The governors and staff of the school have already identified that children entering Reception (or any class for that matter) may find it quite stressful – moving from for example a small nursery to a large school.  The school is working very hard to ensure that the transition for the children is as smooth and stress free as possible.


• I did not get my first choice of coming to Woodmansterne.  Does this mean that I will now be offered a place?
Yes it may.  The admissions team will now carry out a re-shuffle of school offers.  Any parent who had Woodmansterne as a higher preference choice, but were unsuccessful will be put back into the system and new offers made following standard admissions procedures e.g. Medical Social, Siblings and then distance from the school.  You will be notified by post with a new offer if this is appropriate.


• Who pays for the building, resources and extra staffing?
Lambeth provides additional funding to cover the extra children, new furniture and staffing


• Why were we not considered before?
Lambeth Admissions Team carries out a review annually to consider where school places are most needed.  A variety of financial and other risk assessments are then carried out to determine the feasibility of the process. This year, there has been an increase in the number of Lambeth children in the south of the borough who have not been accommodated with a school place.


Following lengthy discussions it was agreed that we will accommodate the local children who did not get their preference school (Woodmansterne) and other local children who did not have any school place.


I shall be working with Lambeth over the next few weeks to agree and finalise design plans and working with my senior team to consider staffing and other related implications to ensure all children continue to experience a first class education.