I spoke to the heads of Barnes Farms Juniors and Springfield Primary today and popped into visit the head and deputy head of Beehive Lane primary. Yesterday, I was told that all 3 schools have been added to the School Rebuilding Program to deliver entirely new schools on these sites.
This is good news.
All the current buildings remain safe for children at this time. In the coming months there will be more clarity about plans for the new schools.
Schools will be fully involved in developing those plans. I have also been told it usually takes at least 3 years to make plans and then build a new school.
I have been told that children will continue to be able to attend their schools fully during this time, possibly with temporary schools being erected.
There is obviously a lot of work to do before this is all finalised. I have agreed to help the schools as much as I possibly can. I would like to get as much agreed and “bolted down” about the future plans over the coming months.
I will meet the schools again after half term to go through any questions they have and to continue to make progress.
