HIGH SCHOOLS
A science
lesson at
Acton High
School
Growth spurt
A
consultation was held in the summer to allow
parents of pupils the chance to give their views
on early plans to increase the places available
at Brentside and Elthorne Park high schools,
both in Hanwell.
Since 2008, the council has been finding ways to
increase primary school places because of the rise in
demand. Consequently, there are now 28 extra permanent
forms of entry in the borough’s primary schools – which is
the equivalent of 5,880 additional places when all the year
groups are full. The latest projections indicate that even
more will be needed.
Of course, these children will then need high school
places in time, as they grow older. So, the council
is now preparing for this upturn in demand – with
the first substantial increase in applications for
high schools expected in 2016. It is thought that
at least 21 extra forms of entry (3,150 places
when full) will be needed by 2021.
William Perkin High opened in
Greenford last September, bu t Hanwell
is now deemed an area of need.
10
around ealing
Autumn 2014
The council is planning to meet
the growing demand for high
school places by expanding
existing schools and by identifying
possible sites for new ones, as
Deborah Dickey discovered.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
Brentside High School’s governing body has been
consulting on creating two extra classes in each year group
for ages 11-16. This would provide an additional 280
places if the plans were to go ahead. Governors
at Elthorne Park High School, meanwhile,
have also been asked to take more pupils.
They have been consulting on creating
an extra 300 places. The sixth forms at
both schools would also expand if the
proposals were agreed.