New school on cards for Hunderton

The first stage of the proposed merger of Hunderton Infant and Junior Schools and provision of a new school building received Cabinet approval at today’s meeting.

Both schools have seen a decline in pupil numbers. The school buildings are also in poor condition and require considerable maintenance work.

The most sensible option is to merge the two schools and provide a new, high quality building.

Pupil intakes at the schools have reduced to between 60 and 70 over the last few years. The proposed new school could admit up to 90 pupils per year.

An informal consultation with parents, governors and staff at the two schools has already taken place and the proposals met with firm approval.

A formal six-week consultation period will begin shortly after the Easter break where the views of other schools, and the wider community including residents, businesses and other interested parties will be taken into account.

Cabinet also agreed that a bid for the capital funding for the new school be submitted to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The estimated cost of the new school building is £5.45 million. If the bid is successful Herefordshire Council will have to meet 20% of the cost.

It will take an estimated two years to build the school. During this time all pupils will be housed in one of the existing buildings whilst the new school is built and the other existing building demolished.

Cllr Don Rule, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) said: “Hunderton is one of the county’s most deprived wards and desperately needs this new school building.

“The existing buildings are out-date and in poor condition, they’re not at all conducive to current teaching methods.

“A new school building will help Hunderton students achieve their full potential.

“The current community facilities will of course be maintained and will no doubt also benefit from the introduction of the new school building.

“We’re determined to provide this new school building and if the bid to the DfES is unsuccessful then we’ll explore other avenues.”