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News

Go Ahead For Schools For The Future Project

Ambitious plans to transform and improve learning for all children and young people in Poole have reached a significant milestone.

Poole Councillors agreed to move forward with the Schools for the Future project at a meeting of the Full Council on February 15. This has been hailed by Cllr Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Schools for the Future as ‘the biggest change in education in Poole for a generation’

The decision means Borough of Poole will now go ahead with important proposals to adopt a single system of transfer for pupils between primary and secondary schools at the age of 11. It is proposed that the change in the age of transfer will be introduced from September 2013.

In order to progress the project a series of statutory notices will be published outlining the changes at each of the schools affected.

Notices will published for all Poole schools, excluding three special schools – Longspee, Montacute and Winchelsea - schools contained in the Corfe Hills Pyramid and Bearwood Primary. The proposals will detail the setting up of infant schools (for children aged four to seven), junior schools (aged 7-11), primary schools (aged 4-11) and secondary schools (aged 11-16/18).

The notices will be published in the local press, at individual schools and other public areas in March. A six-week statutory consultation period will follow, during which any comments and objections can be submitted.

Cllr Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Schools for the Future, said: “. The project to change the age of transfer is vital for the future of children’s education in Poole. Schools for the Future offers an excellent opportunity to ensure that all our children and young people have the best start in life and the chance to be educated equally across the Borough.“

Borough of Poole’s Schools for the Future project is linked to the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. In December 2006, the Department for Education and Skills announced that Poole, in partnership with Bournemouth, had been successful in a bid for funding to rebuild or refurbish seven schools, including Ashdown Technology College, Rossmore Community College and Winchelsea School.

Borough of Poole has already successfully secured £12 million from the Government’s Targeted Capital Bid (TCB) programme to extend Poole Grammar School, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole High School.

Ian Turner, Media Relations Officer, Borough of Poole, tel: 01202 633295