Essex, Proposal to Close Sunnymede Infant School and Proposal to Extend Sunnymede Junior School.

Essex County Council

A proposal to close Sunnymede Infant School and a related proposal to enlarge the capacity and extend the age range of Sunnymede Junior School, to allow it to become an all through primary school.

Notice is given in accordance with the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1GS intends to make the following changes:

Part 1

In accordance with section 15(1) of the Act, to close Sunnymede Infant School (Foundation), Mons Avenue, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2HQ on 31 August 2023.

All statutory consultation requirements in respect of this proposal have been complied with.

It is anticipated that pupils attending Sunnymede Infant School at the time of closure will transfer onto the roll of the current Sunnymede Junior School which, under related proposals (see Part 2 of this notice), will be enlarged and its age range extended to become an all through primary school. Alternatively, admission may be sought to other schools in the area that have places available. Since the sites of Sunnymede Infant School and Nursery and Sunnymede Junior School adjoin, no specific arrangements are proposed for the travel of displaced pupils to other schools. Transport arrangements for pupils attending alternative schools will be in accordance with the County Council's published policy. However, individual cases will be considered on their merits.

Part 2

|In accordance with section 19(1) of the Act, to make the following prescribed alterations:

(a) change the age range of pupils attending Sunnymede Junior School (Foundation), The Meadoway, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2HL from 7 to 11 to 4 to 11 years of age;

(b) enlarge the premises of the school to increase its physical capacity to 436 places, by taking over the current site of Sunnymede Infant School.

Both of these proposed alterations will take effect from 1 September 2023. All statutory consultation requirements in respect of this proposal have been complied with.

The current capacity of the school is 256 and the proposed capacity will be 436. Data for October 2022 show that there were 229 pupils on roll at Sunnymede Junior School and 175 pupils on roll at Sunnymede Infant School. If the proposals are implemented the enlarged Sunnymede Junior School, providing education for pupils aged 4-11, will operate on the sites of the existing infant and the current junior school, which adjoin.

This Notice is an extract from the complete proposal. Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained from The School Organisation Team at the address provided below or at: https://www.essex.gov.uk/school-organisation-and-place-planning/consultations-and-statutory-proposals.

Within four weeks from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to, or make comments on, the proposals by sending them to: Director, Education c/o School Organisation, Infrastructure and Environment, Essex County Council, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH, or via email to school.organisation@essex.gov.uk

Signed: Clare Kershaw, Director, Education, Essex County Council

Publication Date: 9 February 2023

Explanatory Notes

1. The proposals to close Sunnymede Infant School and to enlarge the premises to increase the physical capacity and to alter the lower age range of Sunnymede Junior School to enable it to become an all through primary school are related.

2. A copy of the County Council's Home to School Transport policy can be obtained from The School Organisation Team at the following addresses: School Organisation, Infrastructure and Environment, Essex County Council, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH, or via email to school.organisation@essex.gov.uk.

3. In accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Sunnymede Infant School will be discontinued on 31 August 2023.