Barnwood Park Arts College considering expansion

As more school places are needed in Gloucester, Barnwood Park Arts College is proposing to accept more students from September 2019, and both boys and girls from September 2018.

If the plans are agreed, Barnwood Park Arts College, which currently takes 150 girls a year, would have a mixed intake of girls and boys from September 2018 in Year 7 only. Boys would not join the older years, but would move up from Year 7 year on year.

The school would then offer 30 additional year seven places every year from September 2019, so would have a potential intake of 180 students,

If the proposed plans are successful, to accommodate the additional students, the school will be working with the local authority to improve PE facilities and provide extra resources needed to accommodate a mixed intake. If planning permission is agreed, the building work would begin in 2018 and be completed by September 2019.

Housing developments in Gloucester have increased the number of children needing secondary school places. There are currently more Gloucester primary school students than there are secondary places and extra places are needed for boys as well as girls.

The changes mean that boys in the Barnwood area will be able to choose a local school. Boys that have older female siblings attending Barnwood Park Arts College will also be able to go to the same school as their family.

Sarah Tufnell, Headteacher at Barnwood Parks Arts College, said “Barnwood Park has a growing reputation as an excellent school. It was graded Good by Ofsted in 2014 and has since received an award from the DfE for being amongst the most improved schools in the country. We are determined to continue to improve and to offer the highest quality education to all of our local youngsters. We will also continue to be a strong, happy, caring community.”

Paul McLain, cabinet member for children and families, said “I welcome Barnwood Park Arts College considering this proposal. We need to make sure there are enough school places for all our children. It will also benefit students to attend a local school, especially if they have siblings at the school.”

The school will be seeking feedback about the plans and will be consulting from January 9^th to February 10^th 2017.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk