Latest News - Schools for the Future
Design Teams Appointed
Changing the age of transfer to Poole secondary schools has moved forward another step with the appointment of design teams at three of our eight secondary schools.
Earlier this year the council consulted parents, pupils, teachers, governors and the wider community to get local views on how our school transfer system should be arranged to enable equality of opportunity for all. It was agreed that a single system of pupil transfer to secondary school at age 11 (Year 7) was the preferred option.
Now, following a competitive process, design teams have been appointed for Poole High School, Poole Grammar School and Parkstone Grammar School to progress the detailed designs.
The teams will work closely with the schools and the local authority to develop design options that will enable each school to accommodate an additional year group, when the age of transfer changes in 2013.
Poole High School is embarking on a phased delivery programme with Phase 1, a new Assembly Hall/theatre, already under construction. The design of Phase 2 - a new English classroom block, sports changing rooms, kitchen and dining area - is also underway with this building work expected to start in 2009.
It is also anticipated that construction at Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School will commence in 2009.
The remaining secondary schools in Poole will be managed in a timely manner, under different funding streams.
Rossmore Community College and Ashdown Technology College are included in Wave 6 of the Building Schools for the Future 
programme, a national Government initiative to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school in England over a 10-15 year period. These two schools will officially enter the programme in spring 2008 with building works expected to commence in 2011.
Carter Community Sports College will have the required building works by 2013, while at St Edwards RC/CE VA School a design feasibility study is underway to prepare a funding bid for central Government.
Change will take effect in the Corfe Hills pyramid when funding has been secured for the capital costs of change to the school buildings. Therefore, the existing three-tier system and the present catchment area arrangements in the Corfe Hills area will continue for the time being.
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