Annex A
South Bracknell Review of Primary Education
Options Analysis
Assumptions The underpinning assumption of the following options is that Harmans Water Primary School will become the only designated area school for the Staff College site of 750 houses. The pupils will not be in the designated area for Fox Hill Primary or Wildridings Primary schools. This will necessitate a change in existing designated areas for these schools.
This change will have the effect of increasing pupil numbers at Crown Wood Primary and Fox Hill Primary schools as Harmans Water Primary school has fewer places for non-designated area pupils. The Staff College site is anticipated to begin producing pupils from 2005.
Pupils from the furthest edge of the Staff College site will have 1.08 miles to walk through the open space on the site to Harmans Water Primary.
Principles The principle underlying all the following options is to ensure that all pupils live close to their designated area school. Ease of access for parents and pupils to local schools is fundamental to the success of any reorganisation. Therefore there are no education transport implications for any of these options.
All the schools covered by the Review have had satisfactory Ofsted inspections and achieve results broadly in line with their intake. It is not a principle of this review to close underperforming schools.
Option 1
Removes 413 places (overall surplus is 16.8% by 2008)
Close the Pines Infant and Nursery School and The Pines Junior School
Advantages Releases site for capital receipt (25,552m2) or releases school buildings for alternative use Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill Great Hollands and Wooden Hill primaries Is centrally placed within a small designated area so all designated area pupils can attend a nearby school.
Disadvantages Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community The Church at the Pines has invested in a shared room in the Infants There may be some redundancies.
Other points The Church at the Pines may wish to retain a presence on the site There is a community centre on site Covenants exist on the title but with no practical effect Lease of the community room and school hall in the Infants to Diocesan Trustees for 15 years.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area All place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Disadvantages Some temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction in the long term Reduces places in only 1 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell Does not remove the target of 500 places
Option 2
Removes 297 places, approximately net 210 places (reduces overall surplus to 19.2% by 2008, not allowing for the additional classrooms required at Wildridings)
Amalgamate Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings Primary on the Wildridings site
Advantages Site area of Wildridings is sufficient for increased size of school. Releases Fox Hill School building for sale or alternative use Releases Fox Hill site area of 22,525m2 Both schools are feeder schools for the same secondary school.
Disadvantages Requires additional places at Wildridings School (approximately 90 places or 3 classrooms) Requires relocation of out of hours provision. Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community There may be some redundancies.
Other points Part of Fox Hill site has an education covenant. Schools are relatively close together so pupils are not expected to walk very far. (Distance between Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings primary is just under ½ mile Distance from furthest edge of Fox Hill designated area and Wildridings is about 1 ¼ miles.)
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area All place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Disadvantages Some temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction in the long term Reduces places in only 1 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell Does not remove the target of 500 places
Option 3
In total this would remove 610 places and reduce the overall surplus to 12.1% by 2008 a) Amalgamate The Pines Infant and Juniors to a 210 place school on the Junior school site Removes 203 places (surplus is 21.2% by 2008)
Advantages Increases occupancy of Junior School building. No additional accommodation required as 8 classrooms available; modifications may be required for nursery. Junior site area is sufficient for a primary school. Releases site area of 3,989m2 The Pines Infants building (1,161m2) is available for sale or alternative use A school is retained in the existing designated area of The Pines Improved continuity of education in an all through primary school The Church at the Pines can be transferred to the Junior building and retain a presence on the site Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill, Wooden Hill, Fox Hill and Great Hollands primaries Amalgamation previously considered by governing bodies but not pursued.
Disadvantages The Church at the Pines has invested in a shared room in the Infants which will have to be relocated if the building does not continue in education use. There may be some redundancies. Requires additional temporary accommodation on the Junior School site.
Other points Covenants exist on the title but with no practical effect Lease of the community room and school hall in the Infants to Diocesan Trustees for 15 years. b) Reduce Birch Hill to 449 place School Removes 90 places (Surplus is 23.4% by 2008)
Advantages Modular buildings (90 places) are relatively easy to remove and removes future maintenance requirement Increases pupil numbers and viability at The Pines Infant and Juniors, Wooden Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill, Great Hollands and Harmans Water primaries Can be phased Will make single year group teaching easier.
Disadvantages May require some remodeling of existing accommodation
Other points Site area is sufficient for new size of school.
c) Reduce Wooden Hill to 210 place school Removes 137 places (surplus is 22.5% by 2008)
Advantages Relatively easy to remove modular building for reception and Year 1 (60 places) and relocate into main School - also removes maintenance requirement. Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill and Great Hollands primaries Site area becomes more suitable for number of pupils.
Disadvantages Difficult to find alternative use for 77 places, 2.5 classrooms which cannot be removed from main school building Main school building will require some modification to accommodate reception and year 1 classes Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary.
Other points Site area is sufficient for current pupil numbers through use of the all weather surface.
d) Reduce Crown Wood to 210 place school Removes 180 places (surplus would be 21.6% by 2008)
Advantages Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Harmans Water Primary.
Disadvantages The modular accommodation is the most suitable accommodation the School. To remove all modular accommodation and relocate Nursery into main school would require substantial remodelling of permanent accommodation Increases pupil numbers at Harmans Water Primary which may cause problems with new housing development.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area Reduces places in 3 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell
Disadvantages Some temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction in the long term Removes more than the target of 500 places May require additional places to be added to Crown Wood in the future as the Staff College site is developed. Not all place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Option 4 – proposed BFBC preferred option
In total this would remove 503 places and reduce the overall surplus to 12.6% by 2008 a) Amalgamate Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings Primary on the Wildridings site Removes 297 places, approximately net 210 places (reduces overall surplus to 19.2% by 2008, not allowing for the additional classrooms required)
Advantages Site area of Wildridings is sufficient for increased size of school Releases Fox Hill School building for sale or alternative use Releases Fox Hill site area of 22,525m2 Both schools are feeder schools for the same secondary school.
Disadvantages Requires additional places at Wildridings School (approximately 90 places or 3 classrooms) Requires relocation of out of hours provision. Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community There may be some redundancies.
Other points Part of Fox Hill site has an education covenant. Schools are relatively close together so pupils are not expected to walk very far. (Distance between Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings primary is just under ½ mile Distance from furthest edge of Fox Hill designated area and Wildridings is about 1 ¼ miles.)
b) Amalgamate The Pines Infant and Juniors to a 210 place school on the Junior School site Removes 203 places (Surplus is 21.2% by 2008)
Advantages Increases occupancy of Junior School building. No additional accommodation required as 8 classrooms available; modifications may be required for nursery Junior site area is sufficient for a primary school. Releases site area of 3,989m2 The Pines Infants building (1,161m2) is available for sale or alternative use A school is retained in the existing designated area of The Pines Improved continuity of education in an all through primary school The Church at the Pines can be transferred to the Junior building and retain a presence on the site Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill, Wooden Hill, Fox Hill and Great Hollands primaries Amalgamation previously considered by governing bodies but not pursued.
Disadvantages The Church at the Pines has invested in a shared room in the Infants which will have to be relocated should the building not continue in education use There may be some redundancies. Requires additional temporary accommodation on the Junior School site.
Other points Covenants – covenants exist on the title but with no practical effect Lease of the community room and school hall in the Infants to Diocesan Trustees for 15 years.
c) Reduce Birch Hill to a 449 place school Removes 90 places (Surplus is 23.4% by 2008)
Advantages
Modular buildings (90 places) are relatively easy to remove and removes future maintenance requirement Increases pupil numbers and viability at The Pines Infant and Juniors, Wooden Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill, Great Hollands and Harmans Water primaries Can be phased Will make single year group teaching easier
Disadvantages May require some remodelling of existing accommodation.
Other points
Site area is sufficient for new size of school
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Reduces places in 2 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area All place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Disadvantages Some temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction in the long term
Option 5 – proposed option for consultation
In total this would remove 480 places and reduce the overall surplus to 13.2% by 2008
a) Amalgamate Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings Primary on the Wildridings site Removes 297 places, approximately net 210 places (reduces overall surplus to 19.2% by 2008, not allowing for the additional classrooms required)
Advantages Site area of Wildridings is sufficient for increased size of school. Releases Fox Hill School building for sale or alternative use Releases Fox Hill site area of 22,525m2 Both schools are feeder schools for the same secondary school.
Disadvantages Requires additional places at Wildridings School (approximately 90 places or 3 classrooms) Requires relocation of out of hours provision. Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community There may be some redundancies.
Other points Part of Fox Hill site has an education covenant. Schools are relatively close together so pupils are not expected to walk very far. (Distance between Fox Hill Primary and Wildridings primary is just under ½ mile Distance from furthest edge of Fox Hill designated area and Wildridings is about 1 ¼ miles.)
b) Reduce Birch Hill to a 449 place school Removes 90 places (Surplus is 23.4% by 2008)
Advantages Modular buildings (90 places) are relatively easy to remove and removes future maintenance requirement Increases pupil numbers and viability at The Pines Infant and Juniors, Wooden Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill, Great Hollands and Harmans Water primaries Can be phased Will make single year group teaching easier.
Disadvantages May require some remodeling of existing accommodation.
Other points Site area is sufficient for new size of school.
c) Reduce Crown Wood to a 210 place school Removes 180 places (surplus would be 21.6% by 2008)
Advantages Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Harmans Water Primary.
Disadvantages The modular accommodation is the most suitable accommodation the School. To remove all modular accommodation and relocate Nursery into main school would require substantial remodelling of permanent accommodation Increases pupil numbers at Harmans Water Primary which may cause problems with new housing development.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Reduces places in 3 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area All place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Disadvantages Does not quite remove the target of 500 places May require some additional temporary accommodation to secure reductions in the long term May require additional places to be added to Crown Wood in the future as the Staff College site is developed.
Option 6 – proposed option for consultation
In total this would remove 527 places and reduce the overall surplus to 14.1% by 2008
a) Close Wooden Hill Removes 347 places (overall surplus is 18.2% by 2008)
Advantages Releases site for capital receipt (13,363 m2) or releases school buildings for alternative use Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill, Great Hollands and Harmans Water primaries and the Pines Infant and Juniors.
Disadvantages Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community There may be some redundancies
Other points Covenant on site for school or residential use only. The School is at the edge of its designated area so pupils may have to travel just over 1 mile to the next nearest school.
b) Reduce Crown Wood to a 210 place school Removes 180 places (surplus would be 21.6% by 2008)
Advantages Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Harmans Water Primary.
Disadvantages The modular accommodation is the most suitable accommodation the School. To remove all modular accommodation and relocate Nursery into main school would require substantial remodelling of permanent accommodation Increases pupil numbers at Harmans Water Primary which may cause problems with new housing development.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Reduces places in 2 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area All place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Disadvantages May require additional places to be added to Crown Wood in the future as the Staff College site is developed. May require some additional temporary accommodation to secure reductions in the long term
Option 7
In total this would remove 550 places and reduce the overall surplus to 13.6% by 2008 a) Close The Pines Infant and Juniors Removes 413 places (overall surplus is 16.8% by 2008)
Advantages Releases site for capital receipt (25,552 m2) or releases school buildings for alternative use Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill Great Hollands and Wooden Hill primaries Is centrally placed within a small designated area so all designated area pupils can attend a nearby school.
Disadvantages Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary Closure of a school is not popular with parents and the community The Church at the Pines has invested in a shared room in the Infants There may be some redundancies.
Other points The Church at the Pines may wish to retain a presence on the site Covenants exist on the title but with no practical effect Lease of the community room and school hall in the Infants to Diocesan Trustees for 15 years.
b) Reduce Wooden Hill to 210 place school Removes 137 places (surplus is 22.5% by 2008)
Advantages Relatively easy to remove modular building for reception and Year 1 (60 places) and relocate into main School - also removes maintenance requirement. Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill and Great Hollands primaries Site area becomes more suitable for number of pupils.
Disadvantages Difficult to find alternative use for 77 places, 2.5 classrooms which cannot be removed from main school building Main school building will require some modification to accommodate reception and Year 1 Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary.
Other points Site area is sufficient for current pupil numbers through use of the all weather surface.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Strengthens the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Avoids stretching resources too far Maintains local schools for each area Reduces places in 2 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell
Disadvantages Some temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction in the long term Removes more than the target of 500 places Not all place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
Option 8
In total this would remove 494 places and reduce the overall surplus to 14.9% by 2008 a) Reduce Birch Hill to a 449 place school Removes 90 places (Surplus is 23.4% by 2008)
Advantages Modular buildings (90 places) are relatively easy to remove and removes future maintenance requirement Increases pupil numbers and viability at The Pines Infant and Juniors, Wooden Hill, Crown Wood, Fox Hill, Great Hollands and Harmans Water primaries Can be phased Will make single year group teaching easier.
Disadvantages May require some remodeling of existing accommodation
Other points Site area is sufficient for new size of school.
b) Reduce Crown Wood to a 210 place school Removes 180 places (surplus would be 21.6% by 2008)
Advantages Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Harmans Water Primary.
Disadvantages The modular accommodation is the most suitable accommodation the School. To remove all modular accommodation and relocate Nursery into main school would require substantial remodelling of permanent accommodation Increases pupil numbers at Harmans Water Primary which may cause problems with new housing development.
c) Reduce Fox Hill Primary to a 210 place school Removes 87 places (reduces overall surplus to 23.4% by 2008)
Advantages Increases pupil numbers and viability at Wildridings Primary Will make single year group teaching easier.
Disadvantages Difficult to find alternative use for 87 places, 3 classrooms which cannot be removed from main school building.
Other points Part of Fox Hill site has an education covenant.
d) Reduce Wooden Hill to 210 place school Removes 137 places (surplus is 22.5% by 2008)
Advantages Relatively easy to remove modular building for reception and year 1 (60 places) and relocate these into main School - also removes maintenance requirement. Will make single year group teaching easier Increases pupil numbers and viability at Birch Hill and Great Hollands primaries Site area becomes more suitable for number of pupils.
Disadvantages Difficult to find alternative use for 77 places, 2.5 classrooms which cannot be removed from main school building Main school building will require some modification to accommodate reception and year 1 Additional accommodation may be required at Great Hollands Primary.
Other points Site area is sufficient for current pupil numbers through use of the all weather surface.
Summary of the impact of this option
Advantages Maintains local schools for each area Reduces places in 4 of the 4 areas of South Bracknell No temporary modular accommodation is required to achieve a reduction
Disadvantages Does not strengthen the viability of all remaining schools by boosting pupil numbers Stretches resources too far May require additional places to be added to Crown Wood in the future as the Staff College site is developed. Not all place reductions are achievable in terms of accommodation removal
SBR/Initial conclusions v5