Hampshire County Council and the University of Winchester Academy Trust have agreed to move the opening date for the new Barton Farm Academy Primary School from September 2017 to September 2018.
The decision was made following an update on the progress of the construction and proposed occupancy of new homes in the area. received from the developer (Cala Homes). The update helped to confirm there is insufficient need for the new academy primary school until the 2018-19 academic year.
Councillor Peter Edgar, Executive Member for Education at Hampshire County Council, said:
This is a very sensible step to take. It would make absolutely no sense to have a new school complete and ready for occupation significantly ahead of the development it is intended to provide school places for. To do this would be counter productive on many fronts, not least because of the unnecessary associated costs during a time of austerity.”
Changes in catchment areas for other local schools (Kings Worthy Primary School and Weeke Primary School) to incorporate the Barton Farm development, that were previously agreed, will similarly come in to operation in the 2018-19 academic year.
Parents who have queries about admissions arrangements can either contact their local school or Hampshire County Council’s Admissions Team by emailing admissions.team@hants.gov.uk or calling 0300 555 1377.