Schools
June 2011

The shortage of Nursery and Primary school Places in Berkhamsted is a hugely important and growing issue!
Last year 23 children were not allocated a nursery place this year it was 30. Next year 50+ children may not have a place in a reception class.
For more information berkhamstedparents or the gazette article.
…..and this is the current situation before 200 homes at Egerton Rothesay; the proposed GUI development of 1000 homes at the top of swing gate lane; the bank mill lane development of probably 100+ homes etc….

April 2011 (from Clr Reay)

The draft Core Strategy provides for an increase of two new First Schools over the next twenty years to cater for the additional housing development also proposed in the plan.  There is however an immediate and pressing need to increase school places at first schools * in the town because of an unexpected increase in the birth rate.  This has increased by c. 8% in the last few years across the country as a whole. As a consequence in Berkhamsted in particular we need two new forms of entry over the next two years.  The present plan is to increase the size of Westfield and Greenway schools but the problems with traffic congestion and other issues raised in the consultation has led the CC to reconsider and discussions are now going on between the County and all the schools in the town to see if a broader option can be devised which could also take the longer terms needs into account. A decision on this will be taken in July.

* Our understanding is that there is no issue for 2 years but  then…… (Oh and the Durrants Lane site of 200 dwelling is scheduled for 2013 -15)