Billericay, Essex - Closure of Buttsbury Infant School and Conversion of Junior School to Primary School

Essex County Council

A proposal to close Buttsbury Infant School which is related to a decision by the Regional Director of the Department for Education to enlarge the capacity and extend the age range of Buttsbury Junior School, to allow it to become a primary school for pupils aged 4-11.

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

Part 1

In accordance with section 15(1) of the Act, to close Buttsbury Infant School (Foundation), Perry Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0NX on 31 December 2024.

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

It is anticipated that pupils attending Buttsbury Infant School at the time of closure will transfer onto the roll of the current Buttsbury Junior School which, under related proposals (see Part 2 of this notice), will be enlarged and its age range extended to become a primary school. Alternatively, admission may be sought to other schools in the area that have places available. Since the sites of Buttsbury Infant School and Buttsbury Junior School are in close proximity, 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

A decision was taken by the Regional Director of the Department for Education on 21 June 2024 to extend the age range of Buttsbury Junior School (Academy) from 7-11 to 4-11 with effect from 1 January 2025;

(a) change the age range of pupils attending Buttsbury Junior School (Academy), Norsey View Drive, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0QR from 7 to 11 to 4 to 11 years of age;

(b) enlarge the premises of the school to increase its physical capacity to 856 places, by taking over the current site of Buttsbury Infant School.

Both of these proposed alterations will take effect from 1 January 2025. All statutory consultation requirements in respect of this proposal have been complied with.

The current capacity of the school is 496 and the proposed capacity will be 856. Data for May 2024 show that there were 512 pupils on roll at Buttsbury Junior School and 362 pupils on roll at Buttsbury Infant School. If the proposals are implemented the enlarged Buttsbury 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: 3 October 2024

Explanatory Notes

1. The proposals to close Buttsbury Infant School and to enlarge the premises to increase the physical capacity and to alter the lower age range of Buttsbury Junior School to enable it to become a 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, Buttsbury Infant School will be discontinued on 31 December 2024.