Growth Factfile

GROWTH FACTFILE 2 Parent Choice

Gradual Growth

Parents make decisions about school choice. We are very fortunate to have two great schools providing unique offers. In line with Government Policy, we will endeavour to enable parent choice and provide a “reasonable expectation” when it comes to such an important decision. Both Gatley schools focus relentlessly on providing the best possible education for local families and endeavour to be assets to our village.

We hope that both schools and local residents will work together to further strengthen our community.

Gatley Primary School Governors must review the PAN each year to ensure that it is fit for purpose and provides parents with a ‘reasonable expectation’ of a place at their chosen school. As such it would take seven years to reach 3 forms of entry. Planning permission for 5 classrooms has been submitted to avoid applying/building year on year.

LA Statistics and Cross Boundary Flow Cross boundary flow is common across the borough: From 2013 – 2018 Gatley Primary hasn't admitted reception age pupils from outside its catchment other than rare, exceptional circumstances. If you want to find out more about catchment fill rates of other local schools, please refer to the Stockport Admissions Statics using the link below. Since 2013 GPS has had a net loss of 90 pupils from its own catchment to neighbouring provision.

Data Source: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/schooladmission-statistics

Traffic Calming Update A new entrance has been opened and the chaperone service is running daily from an offsite pick up point. This has been successful, growing from only 6 users in September to a register of 54 regular users. On average the service brings at least 20 children to and from school. When discussing this initiative with our parent community, they have asked for further chaperoned services from other points around Gatley. See our Travel Plan in the policies section for more details.

Catchment Demand According to Stockport figures: In 2019 there were 89 in the Gatley Primary catchment. In 2018 there were 99 in the Gatley Primary catchment. 7 of these children went to faith schools and 6 went to independent provision.

Local Authority Engagement In 2014, the Council approached Gatley Primary School to request an expansion due to local demand.

Since then, steps have been taken in response to this request. Related information has been in the public domain for a number of years.

More recently, in 2019 the LA proposed a solution to alter the catchment boundaries. Stockport defines contiguous catchment areas to enable all children have fair access to at least one school.

The demographic profile of Gatley has led to the school not being able to serve its catchment and is no longer fit for purpose. Redefining these boundaries would take effect over a number of years and provide a solution in the longer term.

Stakeholder Consultation 2019 Proposal to reduce catchment: 29% - Yes 60% No 11% - Not sure

GROWTH FACTFILE Key Questions for the Community

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What happens if funding isn’t granted?

The Education Learning Trust will explore the potential of funding in two phases or the school will not continue to admit above/increase the Published Admission Number.

What are the building timescales?

In total this is estimated to be approximately a 30 week build with a lead period in April. Phases will be scheduled to ensure learning is not compromised. Once the build is complete there will be a significant amount of additional space for the next three years and empty classrooms will be used for learning. Provisional drawings can be viewed in this Community Relations Area.

How will the children be involved?

As much as possible. Architects and builders are fully receptive to child participation. Additionally, the school will invite parents onto a working party to contribute to designs Will there be enough toilets?

The development will be in accordance with DFE regulations (1 fitting per 20 pupils).

Is planning connected to future conversations about learning e.g.

ICT Our Estates Plan is written in conjunction with the School Development Plan and will further curriculum growth and innovation.

Landscaping – what will happen with the field?

The playground will be extended.

Rather than add a square onto the field, a band of hardstanding/all weather surface will be added to the border running alongside the playground.

What disruption will it have on learning?

There will be complete segregation between construction operations and the day to day running of the school. Setting up site, and work creating noise will take place in the holidays. A detailed schedule of works will ensure the school has oversight and can communicate this to parents at regular intervals How will security remain?

There will be no compromise, during works it will be no less secure as the site/compound will be segregated.

All contractors will have a DBS check.

GROWTH FACTFILE Key Questions for the Community

How will increased parking/traffic be How do we minimise dust and noise? handled?

All contractors are CHAS (contractor Subject to council approval, the proposed plan below will mean families who drive to Heath and Safety) approved. school may use three different car parks.

All How do we ensure natural light? children There is DFE guidance on this and can there will be plenty of windows enter/exit included in the design. LED lighting through will be installed in all new areas. five different How do we fit lunch times in? gateways.

How will dining provision accommodate extra children? Some children will use the hall for cold provision. Should the number of Will classrooms be too small? children impact on the queue times then a second lunch order screen can No, they will be DFE compliant be added to the hot servery which How will the hall provide for more will ensure queueing time does not children? increase.

Timetables ensure each class will continue to get their statutory right to PE and games.

How does circulation work at peak The school will continue to use the stage in times?

Elm Road Community hall for productions.

The school is well provided for in terms of corridor space. The width is Rather than whole school assemblies, the school holds Key Stage family celebrations no different to that in high schools which gives parents the opportunity to which have more children who are take part. larger in size. More entrances and exits will be included in the design.

How do we manage access around school with additional numbers?

Radial circulation corridor and entry/exit around building. All new classrooms will have exit doors.

How will the intake of 2020 be accommodated if funding does not go ahead?

There will be an extension to the existing meeting room to create a newly furnished classroom. The existing building cannot provide beyond that.