Expansion of Angmering schools agreed

The size of The Angmering School is set to increase from a published admission number of 252 places to nine forms of entry (270 places) per year.

Angmering’s St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School is set to see its admission number rise from 20 places to 30 places a year.

The expansion plans for nine schools were approved by West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for finance this week, responding to a mixture of increasing birth rate, migration, and housebuilding across the county.

While he also approved expansion of St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Littlehampton from one form of entry (30 places) to two forms of entry (60 places), the headteacher has contacted the Gazette to explain that the expansion would not be going ahead.

Headteacher Gillian Askham said: “Following a meeting with the local Authority and Diocese on Tuesday 14th March 2017, it was decided that St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School will not be expanding to two form entry in the foreseeable future.

“Therefore we continue to admit 30 pupils every year into our reception class.”

A consultation on the changes was held in November and December 2016, with 195 responses received, the majority coming from three schools, one of which was St Catherine’s.

Of the 32 responses regarding there were 29 objections regarding traffic safety around the Littlehampton school, concerns at a lack of sufficient pick up and drop off area and a lack of parking and lack of adequate access for emergency vehicles.

A petition was submitted signed by 150 residents raising concern about traffic.

According to county council officers the Safer Routes to School team will work with the capital planning team to ensure that measures are included in the planning application to address the travel planning issues.

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