Model of New School Uncovered Today
A model of the planned new school to replace Taylor Road Primary School will be on display at the school from today for public consultation.
It has been agreed that the new building will be 50% larger than originally planned. It will be large enough to accommodate the projected population changes in the area with three classes (90 children) in each year group and 45 nursery places. A total of 630 places.
The model shows a new three-storey design to accommodate the larger school on the small site at the heart of the St Matthew's community. It will also enable local families to access a number of other services. The scheme is expected to cost around £9.5m. The Government will be providing around £5.8m, the rest is funded by the city council.
Cllr Hussein Suleman, Lib Dem Cabinet lead for children's and young people's services said: "This is another example of the investment we are making in Leicester to improve our schools and make them fit for 21st century. Our children are our future and we need to make sure that they have the best possible learning environment to ensure they get a good start in life. "We have listened to the local community. People are saying quite clearly that they want their children to be able to go to a local school."
He then added "I asked officers to look at the issues around building a larger school than was originally planned on the site and they have worked hard with the school and community to get us to this stage. We were able to find the extra funding from existing budgets. The staff, governors, parents and the whole community have invested a lot of effort into the success of this project so far, and I have every confidence in the success of the scheme".
Chris Hassell, head teacher of Taylor Road Primary School said: "This is fantastic news for the St Matthew's community. Everybody on the estate has pulled together to make a case for a bigger school and we are very grateful to Cllr Suleman, local councillors, and the city council for recognising the need and fighting for extra money".
The city council will now consult on these proposals and if planning permission is approved, building work on the new school could start later this year.
In 2005 structural problems at the present building were highlighted. The present building dates from the early 1930s.
A second new primary school is due to open in Braunstone in September. In addition to these two schools over £16m has been spent on improving primary schools across the city since 2003.