TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve the transfer of redundant primary school buildings to a neighbouring academy school to enable it to cope with increasing demand for places.
The academy – Great Sankey High School – faces a likely demand for an additional 225 places by September 2018, bringing the number of pupils on roll to 2,200.
Barrow Hall Primary – which is immediately adjacent to the high school – is due to close and move to a new site at Omega in September.
A report to be presented to the borough council’s executive board next week by Cllr Jean Carter, lead member for young people’s services, recommends members to approve the deal.
The primary school site, which is said to be worth £2 million, would be offered to the high school on a 125-year lease.
Cllr Carter’s report states that it would be difficult to expand Great Sankey High because most of its site is already occupied by buildings.
“The main school building is single-storey only and foundations are unlikely to support expansion by building up.
“In addition, the impact on day-to-day operational teaching and learning by introducing temporary accommodation on site and building disruption is consider unviable.
“Playing field space is also limited – half the playing fields at the site are owned by the parish council – and Sport England would object to building on green space.
“Alternatively, the expansion could be achieved by utilising the former primary school site and remodelling one or more of the buildings.”
The Warrington West area is served by three secondary schools and it is believed that by 2018 all three – Great Sankey High, Penketh High and St Gregory’s RC High – will be full.
The Barrow Hall Primary site would be leased to the high school for a peppercorn rent.
Council chiefs set to approve school “take-over”
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