Ealing council cabinet ... Priory CC as school Sep 2013 / expand Derwentwater or West Acton
Press release issued today:New chapter for Priory CentrePublished 6 July 2011The Priory Community Centre in Acton Lane is due to become a school once again, following a decision by Ealing Council’s Cabinet.The Priory Community Centre, Acton Lane, is due to become a school once again, following a decision by Ealing Council’s Cabinet.The site was originally a school before it was turned into a community centre. Increased local demand for reception spaces now means that the council will invest in transforming it into a much-needed new primary school.The two forms in each year school (420 pupils in total) could open as early as September 2013, subject to planning permission.Acton is currently experiencing a shortage of primary places, because of a high birth rate, an increase in the number of families moving to the area and more children seeking a place at state schools when they turn four.In order to meet this need, the council has been temporarily and permanently expanding existing schools to create more places. However, additional spaces are still needed so that local children can attend primary schools close to their homes.In a recent consultation on primary places in Acton, 61% of respondents supported turning the Priory Community Centre into a primary school, with 53% supporting the option to “open the Priory Centre as a school as soon as possible”. The Priory Centre currently houses around 30 community groups. The groups were due to move into the revamped Acton Town Hall complex in 2014, when the council planned to sell the site to developers.The Cabinet decision means that they will now move out before their new space at Acton Town Hall is ready, but the council is working with them to find temporary accommodation.Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for Children and Young People said: ““The Priory Centre is an important part of Acton’s history and this new school is an investment in the area’s future. “I know that many young parents in the Acton area will be pleased to hear this news. There is a real shortage of reception places here and very few sites suitable for building a new school.“I appreciate that this decision will create some disruption for Priory Centre users, but I hope they will also understand how desperately these places are needed and remember that we have committed to helping them to find other accommodation.”Cabinet also agreed to further develop proposals to either permanently expand Derwentwater Primary School or West Acton Primary School potentially creating 210 extra places. They also agreed to further develop proposals to permanently expand Berrymead Infant and Junior Schools, potentially creating an additional 210 places.A new two form of entry (420 places) Catholic primary school is also planned for Vale Lane in Acton.The decision was made by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, 5 July 2011. All cabinet decisions are subject to call-in for a period of five working days from the date of publication of the minutes of the meeting. ---------------
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