New school for Bradley Stoke
Council submits funding bid to government
A new primary academy could be provided in Bradley Stoke to ease pressure on school places in the town.
The government recently announced a new £982million Targeted Basic Need (TBN) Programme which is seeking bids for new Academies and Free Schools in areas of high demand for places.
South Gloucestershire Council has prioritised a bid for a new primary academy in Bradley Stoke after identifying the need for an additional 2 forms of entry ready for September 2015.
Conservative councillors in Bradley Stoke have been at the forefront of campaign efforts to improve education in the town, including leading a successful campaign to build the Bradley Stoke Sixth Form.
In a joint statement, Cllrs Rob Jones and John Ashe (Con, Bradley Stoke South) and Cllrs Sarah Pomfret and Brian Hopkinson (Con, Bradley Stoke Central & Stoke Lodge) said:
“From talking to Bradley Stoke parents on the doorstep, it’s clear that a significant number have not got their preferred school place and as a result have been left disappointed because of the pressure on school places in our town.
We can help put an end to these worries by ensuring that there are enough good school places in our town to meet local demand.
A number of existing primary school sites have already had extra classrooms installed, but there’s only so much you can do before space runs out.
We, therefore, support this funding bid for a new primary academy.”
The deadline for applications was 30 April 2013 and the outcome of bids is expected to be announced in June 2013.
South Gloucestershire Council is already supporting a bid for a Free School in Kingswood, although Kingswood Labour councillors have not been supportive of the bid.