BVCA have received an increased amount of enquiries lately into the availability of places at Buckshaw Trinity Primary School. One of the major selling points for the village is the sense of community on Buckshaw and particularly the village amenities including sports pitches, community centre, nursery and of course, Buckshaw Trinity Primary School.

The BVCA have received a number of enquiries recently about the school's capacity. The school's footprint was designed so that if necessary, it could be extended to be a double form entry school (i.e. two schools in one, with capacity for 60 children in each yeargroup). It is currently operating as a single form entry school. The current demand for Reception class places far exceeds the number of available Reception class places at the school. 

The BVCA have been making enquiries into extending the capacity of the school. This week we recieved the following update from Officers at Lancashire County Council (LCC);

We are closely monitoring the situation in terms of intake to the school in order to assess the point at which the school may be expanded. When assessing the need for additional places in January 2011, the number on roll at the school stood at 114 (for 210 places) and the births in the area remained stable, suggesting that demand from the additional houses had yet to materialise.

By September 2012, the number on roll had risen to 191, with year groups R to Y5 at capacity.

LCC Officers attending a governing body meeting in November 2011 and explained to the governors that we were monitoring the situation at the school and would be looking at whether the expansion of the school would be necessary once the annual update of pupil forecasts is completed in the spring term. These are currently being updated and should inform our basic need priorities for the next year.

The September position showed there to be between 19 and 77 places per year group within schools within a 2 mile radius of Trinity. There was a total capacity of 4413 and a total number on roll of 4168 in these schools.

If the updated position shows that additional places are required which would not adversely impact upon schools in the surrounding area, we will meet with the governors and the diocese to discuss the way forward. I would anticipate this being before Easter. Any proposed expansion would be subject to full statutory consultation.

As I'm sure that you will appreciate, we need to ensure that the school is not expanded to the detriment of neighbouring schools but that the places available consider parental preference and any change in the local circumstances.

The BVCA will continue to discuss this matter with LCC officers and are working positively with LCC Cllr Mike France and Cllr. Mark Perks to investigate all options for Buckshaw famillies. Watch this space. 

More information about the school can be found here.