Faringdon Learning Trust (FLT) are pleased to share an update with the Shrivenham community regarding the relocation of Shrivenham Church of England Primary School to within the new area of houses being built to the North of the village.
This move will provide the school an opportunity to grow to a 1.5 form entry (45 pupils per year group) increasing from its current one form entry (30 pupils per year group). The site will also be future proofed to expand further, to meet the needs of the village. We are hoping to include a nursery provision for up to 75 pupils and to take children from two years old (this is subject to approval from the Regional School’s Commissioner (RSC) expected in the new year).
Background
Under section 14 of the Education Act 1996, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places and fair appropriate access to education for all. Faringdon Learning Trust has worked closely with OCC to meet the growing need for pupil places in Shrivenham.
With increases in housing in Shrivenham and the increasing numbers of pupils FLT needs to create further capacity to meet this need, as per its strategic plan.
As part of the relocation proposal, FLT undertook a statutory consultation with key stakeholders affected between July and September 2021. Pupils’ views were also sought in November 2021.
Rationale
Appraisals of the current school location make it clear that further expansion is not possible.
An opportunity arose, as new houses were being built, for OCC to use appropriate funding streams to project manage and fund the relocation of Shrivenham Primary school, in conjunction with the Faringdon Learning Trust.
Key Dates
- Land transferred to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) for constructing the new school building – November 2022
- Contract finalised between OCC and the main contractor, ISG – November 2022
- Construction starting on site – December 2022
- Planned relocation of Shrivenham CoE Primary School – February 2024
