Planning New School Places

In Reading and in Caversham, there are too many children, chasing too few school places. Since 2005, increasing numbers of Reading Borough Council Primary and Secondary schools have been oversubscribed and a growing number of parents have been unable to gain places for their children at the Primary and Secondary schools of their choice. A cross-party Board of Councillors, Head Teachers, Representatives of Faith Schools and an Independent Chair was established in 2008 to identify options for the future.

Demand for primary school places is expected to rise until 2012 when it will level off. This will translate into increased demand for secondary schools places. Currently, 40% of Reading's secondary school age pupils attend schools outside the Borough. Availability will reduce following developments to the East, South and West of Reading.

More locally, 48 children living within the Highdown designated area were not offered a place in September 2008. For primary schooling, earlier estimates for the 2009 entry into reception classes in north Reading showed a deficit of between 29 and 45 places.

Across Reading, there is a need to provide five additional forms of entry in primary schools and five to six forms of entry in secondary schools, primarily in the south and east of the town. As well creating places for primary and secondary school children, a thorough review of designated  areas is considered necessary.

Options to increase places in Caversham, include the expansion of Highdown School by 40 places in Year 7 (a whole school expansion of 200 children) and the relocation or provision of a new primary school on the Highdown site. All proposals to expand schools will be subject to statutory consultation and the availability of capital funding.

Following the public consultation and public meetings, Cabinet will meet in November 2009 to consider recommendations on options to be taken forward.