Schools and learning

Howe Dell School - Questions and Answers

Building and funding

Who has funded the building of the new school site?
The developers of the former aerodrome site have contributed funding towards the school and community centre, with top-up funds from Hertfordshire County Council. Hatfield Town Council contributed funding towards the community centre.

What was wrong with the existing site?
The buildings did not provide educational facilities appropriate to a school of this size in the 21st century. The accommodation and site were criticised by Ofsted

What has happened to the old site?
The site is being sold. It is understood that the listed building will be reused as an independent private school with some housing being built in the grounds. The playing field will be retained by the Hertfordshire County Council for use by local schools.

Why has this pioneering school been built here?
It was always intended that there would be a school on the airfield site to serve the needs of the new residential development. The developers were also keen to ensure that the site reflected environmental principles and sustainability. In recognition of this, the county council has worked with the developers to plan a school that is a beacon of sustainable development in both the design of the building and in meeting the curriculum needs of the children.

Facilities

What facilities does the site have?
In addition to the primary school, there is a full range of nursery and day-care services for children under five, an extended day for children aged five to eleven and on-site community services

School places

How many children are there in a class?
The school will be organised in a similar way to most other schools. On average each class has approximately 30 pupils. It is two form entry and has a nursery class with 60 part-time places, as part of a wider early years provision on-site.

Will there be classes of mixed age?
The existing school does not have mixed aged classes. As the school grows in line with local demand it will be for the headteacher and governors to decide how best to organise the classes.

Does the sibling admission rule still apply?
Yes. Hertfordshire County Council’s admissions rules will continue to apply to this school.

Will the admission rules change?
The admission rules for statutory age children will be in accordance with Hertfordshire County Council’s published admissions criteria. The county council consults annually on admissions criteria.

What is the catchment area?
Hertfordshire County Council does not apply catchment areas for Hertfordshire primary schools. Admissions to the school will be through the application of the county’s published admissions rules for community and voluntary controlled schools. For further information, telephone the Customer Service Centre on 01438 737500. Callers from 01923 or 0208 dialing codes may wish to call 01923 471500 in order to be charged at local rate.

How have you have predicted the number of children likely to attend the school?
Hertfordshire County Council forecasts include information on live birth information obtained from GPs and completed and proposed housing.

What account have you taken of new housing development?
New housing, especially in developments of the size of the one planned on the old Hatfield aerodrome site, has been accounted for in our projections.

Will pupils have a new school uniform?
The school’s uniform has developed to incorporate a new badge inspired by wind-turbines and propellers.

Early Years

What early years provision is there?
The school is lead agency for the Hatfield North Children's Centre. Children’s centres aim to give families and children the best possible start in life by providing support and easier access to services.

What services does the children’s centre offer?

• integrated childcare and education for children under five
• parenting and family support
• parenting education courses
• adult and community learning
• access to health services
• access to information about children's services
• access to wider services that reflect the needs of the local community

What hours does the children’s centre operate? The centre is open from 8am-6pm for 48 weeks of the year.

What do I have to pay for my child in early years/nursery?
Three and four-year-olds are entitled to a free part-time place. Fees are charged for younger children, as well as three and four-year-olds whose parents would like them to stay for longer than the free session.

Congestion

Will it affect traffic in the area?
The development has been designed with a school from the outset and has therefore taken account of the new traffic patterns likely to be created. The whole development, including the school, is intended to be a model of sustainable principles. All visitors, pupils and their parents are encouraged to use sustainable means of transport. The development has extensive footpaths and cycle ways which lead past the school and there are also many bus routes planned with stops outside the school. The staggered nature of the school start and finish times with its extended day will help to reduce peak flows.

Wind turbine

What does the wind turbine do?
The wind turbine will generate around 50kw of electricity, equivalent to the amount of energy it would take to power 16 fan heaters.

Will the wind turbine be noisy?
No. Sound levels in the area will be monitored to ensure that additional noises (whatever their source) that might emanate from the school site will not cause a nuisance.

Will it kill birds?
No

Will it spoil the view of the landscape?
This is a varied residential and industrial landscape. Across the road from the school is the old airfield’s listed hangar building, now a fitness centre. The wind turbine will be part of the heritage of the site, in recognition of the fact that many aircraft that used the wind and sky were developed here.