Appendix 1: Proposal to expand Ravenor Primary ... - Ealing Council

During the statutory consultation, there were a total of 174 responses andalso 15 written representations (attached as Appendix 7). Table 1 belowshows a breakdown of responses:Table 1: Breakdown of responses (St Gregory’s consultation)For Against Not sureParents 28 (33%) 47 (56%) 9 (11%)Pupils 0 1 (50%) 1 (50%)Residents 4 (5%)76 (90%) 4 (5%)(including 2 who alsoselected ‘parent/carer’)Staff 17 (100%) 0 0Total individualresponses47 (27%) 115 (66%) 12 (7%)(including 2 who alsoselected ‘parent/carer’)Questionnaire responses show that a clear majority of residents are againstthe proposal, with a smaller majority of parents opposed to the proposal. Allstaff respondents (17 individual responses) support the proposal. Two pupilsresponded to the questionnaire, with 1 not sure and 1 opposed.The main reasons expressed by residents against expansion were; increasedtraffic including the distance children travel to reach the school, congestion,safe drop-off and parking; pressure on external space; disruption duringconstruction, and environmental issues including trees, the conservation area,noise, light pollution, flooding and drainage. These are valid concerns and itwill be important for these to be addressed during the planning process, forthis reason, should members wish to approve the expansion of the school, itshould be conditional on obtaining planning permission (as stated in therecommendations).Some had concerns about whether the school would have adequate revenuefunding to support the expansion. Ealing has a number of 3FE schools andfunding is adequate to support this number of pupils. It is not envisaged thata lack of revenue funding will be an issue.A frequently mentioned reason against expansion as ‘any other comments’was that expansion would not meet a local demand and that the current‘bulge’ class in reception are ‘out of catchment’. Please refer to the ‘need forplaces’ and ‘expansion of successful and popular schools’ sections above.The main reasons expressed by parents against expansion were; trafficcongestion, that the school has enough pupils already, that expansion wouldhave a negative effect on the schools culture/ ethos and disruption duringbuilding works.The proposals have the support of the Head teacher and governing body whostate:13