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Secondary School Provision in Cheshunt (Archived Document)

This document contains proposals for consultation for; the expansion of Goffs, St Mary's High and Turnford Schools, and the relocation of St Mary's High School to a new site.

This consultation is about the possible expansion of secondary schools in the Cheshunt area. This is because there is a need for more places in the area to meet anticipated demand. The County Council and the schools' governors want to know what you think about the proposals for change.

This document:

• explains why the changes are being proposed;
• summarises the specific proposals for change;
• includes a response form for your comments.

NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE YET AND WILL NOT BE UNTIL THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE MEETS ON 18 TH OCTOBER 2000 AND CONSIDERS YOUR VIEWS.

This document is being distributed widely within the area. If you would like more copies, please ring Benjamin Wright on 01992 555897.

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSULTATION

A series of public meetings will be held to discuss the proposals:

• Tuesday 4th July 2000, 7.30 pm at St Mary's High School
• Thursday 6th July 2000, 7.30 pm at Turnford School
• Wednesday 12th July 2000, 7.30 pm at Goffs School

County Council and Diocesan officers and school governors will explain the background to the proposals and answer your questions. A County Councillor will chair each meeting, and other County Councillors will be there to listen to your views.

Everyone is welcome at the meetings. Please come along to listen and take part in the discussion. We also welcome your views in writing. Please use the response form by Friday 22nd
September 2000.

Alternatively, you can ring the Cheshunt Secondary Schools Consultation line at Hertfordshire County Council's Customer Service Centre on 01438 737500. (If your area code is 01923 or 0208 please call 01923 471500 to enable your call to be charged at the local rate). Our staff at the Customer Service Centre will be happy to record your response for you. This line is open from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.

A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS

The County Council proposes to respond to the growing demand for secondary school places in Cheshunt by:

• relocating St Mary's High School from its current Churchgate site to a new location at Cheshunt Park, with an expanded intake;
• expanding Goffs and Turnford Schools to admit more children each year;
• working closely with the Governors of Cheshunt School to secure new capital investment in the school's premises.

WHY WE ARE PROPOSING CHANGE

The County Council is proposing change because:

• the current level of demand for admission to secondary schools in Cheshunt exceeds the number of places available;
• future levels of demand are projected to rise;
• there is significant overcrowding at St Mary's High School; the geographical distribution of schools would be improved.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE

ONE Relocate St Mary's High School from its current Churchgate site to a new location at Cheshunt Park, and increase the number of children admitted to the school by 30 per year from September 2004.

St Mary's High School is under pressure from existing overcrowding and the layout of the existing school site means that it would be very difficult to expand the school any further. Particularly, part of the site contains a listed ancient moat. Additionally, the school would also like to admit more pupils and play its part in meeting rising demand for
school places in the area.

Hertfordshire County Council owns a major site at Cheshunt Park, part of which currently used for St Paul's Roman Catholic Primary School. The remaining land, which was purchased in 1969, is suitable for a secondary school. It is proposed that St Mary's High School be relocated to this site as a larger school.

In order to implement the scheme considerable further work would be needed to take the proposals forward. As required by the town planning process the following detailed issues would be the subject of much further local discussion and consultation:

• site layout and access arrangements;
• management of traffic;
• landscaping;
• design of buildings.

The Governors of St Mary's High School also plan to amend their admissions arrangements to give greater priority to local children. The Church of England Diocese of St Albans, trustees of St Mary's School, support these proposals for the schools.

TWO Increase the number of children admitted to Goffs
School by 30 places in September 2002 and increase the number of children admitted to Turnford School by 30 places in September 2002.

The expansion of these two schools will help meet the demand for school places in Cheshunt.

Both schools would need some internal re-organisation of their sites and buildings there would also be a need to build some new accommodation. Building schemes have been designed (in outline only at this stage) and sketch plans will be available at the consultation meetings.

THREE Work closely with the Governors of Cheshunt School to secure new capital investment in the school

The Governors of Cheshunt School plan to sell part of an unused element of the school site. The money raised from the sale of this land will all pay for improvements to the school's premises. It will not involve the sale of school playing fields. The County Council will be working closely with the Governors to support their strategy as an essential part of the package for the whole area.

FUNDING

It is intended that the scheme for the relocation of St Mary's High School and the expansion of Turnford and Goffs Schools would be funded by the redevelopment of the current St Mary's site for new housing. There would be some additional funding from government grants relating to the need for more school places in the area.

NEXT STEPS

• June 2000 - Consultation document circulated
• Late August 2000 - Consultation period ends
• 18th October 2000 - Children, Schools and Families Committee considers outcome of consultation

If the proposals are approved:

• November/December 2000 - Statutory Notices published*
• January/February 2001 - If objections are received, the School Organisation Committee considers proposals
• mid 2001 to Autumn 2002 - Implementation of Goffs and
  Turnford expansion schemes
• mid 2001 to Autumn 2003 - Further development of St Mary's
  relocation proposals (including additional consultation)

*Statutory Notices are formal legal notices officially informing the public of proposed changes. The notices must be displayed locally, including at the schools themselves, in the local press.