Years before Shrewsbury needs a new primary school, says councillor
There will be no new primary school in Shrewsbury for several years, a council boss has said.
Councillor David Minnery, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children and young people, says that the town's schools can cope with an increase in pupils.
The comments come as Shrewsbury Town councillors have called for action to alleviate what they say is pressure on school places in the west of the town.
Councillor Minnery said there are "no specific plans for a new primary school for in Shrewsbury" and that a predicted growth in pupil numbers in the town can be managed with "current or freed up capacity" in existing schools.
Council education officials also attended Shrewsbury Town Council last night to answer their concerns over the impact of housing developments on primary school places in the town.
Shrewsbury is only one of a few areas in Shropshire where pupil numbers are rising.
Councillor Minnery said: "Unlike many other parts of the country, the number of pupils on roll at schools in Shropshire is falling overall – in some areas quite significantly.
"The number of pupils on roll at Shropshire schools has fallen by about 10 per cent in the last five years and this trend will continue, with a further average fall of over 3.3 per cent by 2019/20 – and by much more in some areas.
"However, there are five areas of the county for which there are forecast pressures on school places through to the end of the current plan period in 2026 – Shrewsbury is one of these areas."
Councillor Minnery said discussions would take place in the coming months to work out how to cope with an increase in pupil numbers.
He said: "Last summer, Shropshire Council officers met with representatives from all Shrewsbury schools to brief them on the future demand for school places in the town. It is anticipated that further, more detailed, discussions will need to take place in the coming months and years to develop options for meeting increased demand.
"Primary school numbers are forecast to grow in Shrewsbury through to 2020, but this will be managed in this period within the current or freed up capacity in existing Shrewsbury primary schools.
"However, it is recognised that there may be a requirement for additional primary provision in the form of a new school in Shrewsbury towards the end of the current plan period (2026) to accommodate the increased demand for places linked to housing developments.
"Therefore, at this very early stage in the process there are no specific plans for a new primary school in Shrewsbury.
"Any such plans will be developed over time in discussion/consultation with school leaders and key stakeholders."
