Forum Topic

Drayton Green Primary

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/ealing-news/local-ealing-news/2012/05/31/traffic-gridlock-feared-if-drayton-green-school-expands-64767-31086763/The article tells of plans to double the size of the school. WEN is concerned. I am wondering what local consultation is taking place as 53 Drayton Green has not been informed but has heard that building starts in the summer holidays.

Graham Weeks ● 5053d4 Comments

Admittedly it's difficult to control the birthrate (except by national legislation as the Chinese have done). However bulding new homes for families in neighbourhoods where the Council won't or can't succesfully extend or build new schools makes no sense at all.In fact to do so would contradict Section 1.1 of Ealing Council's 'Local Plan' recently blessed by National Government. The Local Plan states '...without the necessary infrastructure needed to support (housing) development, then the levels of growth that the plan seeks to achieve by 2026 will not be sustainable.' Put simply if the primary schooling can not be provided for new residents' young children then don't build the new family homes.Looking at the current and future planned primary school provision in the central area of West Ealing it would appear that introducing 1,200 new residents (with no doubt families in the 289 new 2/3/4 bedroomed homes) into the Green Man Lane development will not be sustainable.

Eric Alan Leach ● 5052d

Irrespective of objections and concerns the expansion will happen.There are few, if any, suitable sites for new schools and expansion is urgently needed to meet rising school entry requirements.Even 'average' schools are heavilly over-subscribed.I am amazed that this has,seemingly, come as a surprise to those resonsible for planning expansion. New housing and rising birthrates give many years notice and the 'stampede' away from the private education sector has added pressure.Given sensible traffic planning and parking enforcement I would not be too concerned. The High School almost opposite my home has gone from a single form after re-opening to 1200 pupils now. Traffic problems have not increased as the CPZ and other parking restrictions are rigorously enforced.

Nigel Brooks ● 5052d

Thank you Eric.http://www.ealing.gov.uk/downloads/download/1393/consultation_on_the_expansion_of_drayton_green_primary_school shows that only parents, staff and governors have been consulted.Expansion of schools are needed we are told because, as the letter to school staff said, In the last 10 years there has been a: 30% increase in births across the borough 37% increase in births in Ealing North 33% increase in births in Ealing South

Graham Weeks ● 5052d

The proposal is to double the number of pupils attending the school from 210 to 420. Local residents first heard about this on 23 May with an 8 June response deadline. The local residents' groups - Draytons Community Association and West Ealing Neighbours - have as yet not been contacted directly for their comments.Ofsted rated the school's performance in 2010 as poorer than its five neighbouring primary schools and hightlighted high staff turnover as a concern.No detailed construction details are contained on the Council's expansion announcement, so there are local concerns about building on the quite small playground area. Even if building does not take place in the playgound, the relatively small tarmac area used by 210 children now will in future years be crowded out by 420 children.139 chldren applied for the 30 places at the school in 2011. 1,200 additional people will move into the new Green Man Lane development 5/10 minutes walk away from the school during the next 6 years. No further expansion is planned at neighbouring St John's Primary School. The question to be asked is whether this inappropriate expansion at Drayton Green Primary is in any way an adequate response to the exploding birth rate and the residential developments  already underway locally? There has been very limited consultation with School Governors and parents. Only one School Governor responded and only around 7% of parents responded.Go to www.ealing.gov.uk and search for 'Consultations' for more details. If you want to comment on this - do it before 8 June.The school is located at 49 Drayton Green so it is quite incredible that the International Presbyterian Church at 53 Drayton Green has not been informed of the Council's plans to double the pupil numbers at the school.

Eric Alan Leach ● 5053d