Major changes on the cards to make borough schools more attractive
A £120 million improvement plan has been unveiled for Hammersmith and Fulham’s secondary schools.
The new proposals, which are set to undergo
a six-week consultation, include the expansion of over-subscribed
schools and the creation of new sixth forms - in the W12 area, it is envisaged that a
sixth form will be added to Phoenix High School. A new sixth form is
already planned at Burlington Danes Academy from 2010, and,
with a new Academy at Stamford House from 2011, there will be 420
places for A-level students.
The proposals also aim to develop the 14-19 curriculum with a vocational-based element. This is intended to equip pupils with skills and training to improve their job prospects.
In the special needs sector, there are
proposals to add ahydrotherapy pool at Jack Tizard School, which teaches 3-19
year-olds with severe learning difficulties.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh said the
borough’s schools had to be made more attractive to future
students: “Far too many parents send their children out of the
borough or into private education. We are the third highest net exporter of children in London after Lewisham and K&C, both of
which have a shortage of secondary school places, whereas we have a
large number of surplus places,” he said.
The proposals form part of the Government-funded Building Schools for the Future programme.
During the consultation period, a series of exhibitions and roadshows will take place across the borough, and consultation documents will be distributed to all primary and secondary school parents.
Primary school pupils will also be asked their views, as the roadshow visits their schools during the six-week period.
The consultation ends on 2 June and a decision on the final set of plans will be taken on 14 July.
Building work will not start until 2011, with completion set for 2013.
The first roadshow, outlining the proposals, will be held at Hammersmith Town Hall in King Street on Wednesday 30 April from 2-8pm. People can drop by at any time within this time slot.
A travelling exhibition and drop-in centres
are also being held at Askew Road Library on 8 May from 10am-1pm & Shepherds
Bush Library on 10 May from 2-5pm.
April 23, 2008