This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Isle of Wight Council is revealing plans to build two brand new primary schools in Freshwater and Shanklin.
It follows the completion of the second phase of the authority’s capital programme for schools. Phase three is scheduled to be fully completed by Easter 2012 which involves the move of primaries to vacated middle school sites being completed.
Sale of old school sites and Government funding
The council has now begun work on preparing for the next stage of capital investment which will be known as phase four. This will involve drawing on government funding along money generated from the sale of school sites that are no longer required.
As part of this next phase, the council will be bringing forward plans to build new primary schools for All Saints CE Primary School in Freshwater and Gatten & Lake Primary School in Shanklin. These two schools have been identified as a priority for a new build due to the poor state of the existing buildings and the limitations they have for delivering curriculum for the 4-11 age range.
Community can help shape proposals
The council is making the announcement to build these two new one-form entry primary schools now so that work can begin with local communities to help shape the proposals.
In Freshwater, the proposals include locating the new All Saints school alongside the West Wight Sports Centre, which will make the area a hub of community activity.
In Shanklin, the council will develop a proposal that was put forward by Gatten & Lake’s governing body during the reorganisation process, which will see the new school should be built on their playing field off Green Lane, adjacent to the county ground playing field.
Improvements for other schools too
Phase four of the capital programme, which will be discussed by the cabinet in the near future, will also include proposals for improvements to a number of other schools including The Bay CE Primary School in Sandown.
Cllr Dawn Cousins, cabinet member for children’s services and education said; “These are exciting plans for the communities of Freshwater and Shanklin as they are in need of new facilities.
“With work already underway on the new two-form primary schools at St Francis in Ventnor and Haylands in Ryde, now is the time to start planning the next stage which includes these new one-form primary schools at opposite ends of the Island.
“We are determined to bring forward plans for new fit-for-purpose school buildings that reflect the input of the communities in which they will be based. These new schools will also provide further opportunities for local companies to secure work, thereby providing a boost to the local economy.
“I look forward to bringing a more detailed paper to cabinet in the near future.”
Image: Jude Doyland under CC BY 2.0
