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

• traffic and parking issues• loss of, or an increase in, a particular type of use of landThe sites are too small to accommodate additional pupilsBased on a feasibility study undertaken for the two schools on possibleexpansion, after the school is expanded, the (proposed) primary school willhave external play area of 5,984 m2, 6.92 m2 per pupil. This compares to theguidance for schools on confirmed sites of 5.558m2 per pupil.Need more community school places in Central EalingLetter 2 (in Appendix 7) details the difficulties of families with a non-Catholicor Church of England faith in gaining local school places in Central Ealing.The Council has already agreed an additional 10FE of primary school placesacross the borough with 5½FE of these in the Ealing North and South areas.The Council is also investigating possible sites for new schools and thesewere detailed in the December 2010 cabinet report on school places. A keyproblem is finding sites which are suitable for school use but the Council isinvestigating all options as, to meet longer term population demand, new sitesmay be required.School expansions should be available for all, not faith basedLetter 2 also mentions the need for expansions to be available to all. TheCouncil has a duty to promote choice and diversity across schools in theborough and has expanded community schools, foundation schools, anacademy, and is now proposing to expand Voluntary Aided (‘faith’) schools inorder to meet the increased demands of the whole community.The school is big enough and 4FE for a primary school is too largeWhile still relatively uncommon, there are a growing number of 4FE schools inthe country, most of which are in London (including Fielding in Ealing). Thosein London have a representative mix in terms of ethnicity and socialdeprivation.Nationally in 2009/10 13% of primary schools were judged ‘outstanding’, of4FE schools we have identified in London, 22% were judged ‘outstanding’.72% were deemed ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ and 6% were ‘unsatisfactory’(compared to 8% nationally).Research for the NCSL (National College for School Leadership) found thatthe advantage of large primary schools (over 2FE) were that there was morestaff expertise, more facilities for peer support, greater financial flexibility andenhanced curriculum provision. Larger schools do require clear leadership,delegation to other managers and good communication systems.SummaryIn summary, on considering the balance of the factors and issues expressedby all parties, it is recommended to approve this proposal subject to theproposer being able to respond adequately to the issues raised during thestatutory planning process.35