Steve raised the issue in the local press last year and is now working with Conservative colleagues at both councils, as well as key members of the city's education community.

He said all options remained on the table, including new provision from the Local Education Authority (LEA) and a new 'free' school.

Hampshire County Council recently announced they would consult on proposals for a new school in the city and Winchester City Council have now made provision for one in their draft local plan.

Steve says; "It is very clear, regardless of what happens to Barton Farm, that Winchester has an increasing problem with primary places. The LEA has a fiendishly difficult job in many respects but my post bag, my surgery and the number of temporary classrooms that are having to come online for September 2012 tell us there's a crisis looming."

Steve, who is a parent of two himself, said it was good news the LEA recognise a new school is needed in Winchester but insisted a huge coordinated local effort was needed to avoid any further delay and get the new facility open for September 2013 latest.

He added; "I do however think there is a temptation to remain stuck in the old way of thinking whereby we wait patiently to see what the LEA gives us. Michael Gove's 'free' school policy is part of our localism agenda and for the first time it puts new school planning directly in the hands of Winchester residents.

"A free school in the city could be really exciting and I see no reason, least of all ideological opposition, why Winchester should be left behind."

 

Hampshire County Council published its draft School places Plan (2011-15) on 1st December 2011. The document sets out the context for changes in school organisation and the provision of school places, and some of the measures proposed to meet future needs.

The content and format of the 2011-15 Plan reflects a significant change from previous Plans whose emphasis was on surplus school places in the primary sector which is now feeding through into the secondary sector.

Hampshire, in keeping with the national picture, has experienced a significant rise in births over the past 10 years. This, together with housing development in various parts of the county, is resulting in pressure on primary school places in some areas.

The draft School Places Plan 2011-15 focuses on pupil number forecasts, which are arrived at through an analysis of past and present uptake of places in all maintained schools in Hampshire together with birth and housing data, which will inform future decisions on the provision of school places.

The draft plan was considered by Councillor Roy Perry - Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, at his Decision Meeting in December 2011 with the recommendation that it be the subject of extensive consultation during Spring 2012 term. Consultation meetings for headteachers, governors, Members and other interested parties have been arranged. The draft School Places Plan 2011-15 is very much designed to be a dynamic document and its eventual content will be informed through the consultation process.

Hampshire draft school places Plan (2011-15) - here.

See this story featured in Steve Brine's Spring 2012 Winchester Post - here.

Pupils of Winchester (POW) Facebook page - here.

Winchester City Council draft local plan - here.

See Hampshire Chronicle story which first mentioned 'free school' - here.

See BBC Daily Politics report on the issue (from Winchester) in late-Jan 2012 - here.