Consultation on New Bolder Academy Plans
Application for new school to be submitted imminently
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Bolder Academy has confirmed plans for a public consultation on proposals to build a new co-educational, non-denominational and non-selective secondary school (in other words, a school for all) for local children in Hounslow. Plans were delayed for a year.
The Bolder Academy will be a new fully inclusive secondary school to meet local demand for school places. It has been set up by local head teachers, who are working together as part of the Hounslow Education Improvement Partnership.
Public exhibitions have already happened but there is a public meeting coming up at Isleworth and Syon School on 22nd March from 7:30pm This meeting will focus on the immediate impact of this school on the local residents, thus discussing traffic, site access and other issues raised. OWGRA and local coundillors have encouraged this public meeting.
The site selected is the current Grasshoppers Rugby Club site on Macfarlane Lane. The rugby club is in the process of moving to a new site with new facilities on the Conquest Club site. The school will reuse much of the land already developed to provide the school buildings, in order to preserve as much of the openness of the site as possible.
Brentford and Isleworth have had a shortage of community secondary schools for many years and the 6 form entry school places are expected to go to children in Brentford, north Isleworth and Osterley in the main.
The site is on Metropolitan Open Land which requires special circumstances to be built on. It is expected that the local need for school places and the lack of alternative sites (31 were looked at and found wanting) will provide this.
The design being consulted on retains two of the existing rugby pitches for sporting use and provides additional community facilities including a four court Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), an indoor sports hall and studio as well as classrooms for adult education. The community use of these facilities outside school hours will be secured by a Community Use Agreement.
It is expected that the vast majority of students will arrive via public transport or on foot. Possibly the Tesco car park could be used as a drop off for parents. 56 parking spaces for teachers and visitors will be provided on site as well as 3 coach spaces. Drop off will be arranged for SEN students.
Public exhibitions have already happened but there is a public meeting coming up at Isleworth and Syon School on 22nd March from 7:30pm This meeting will focus on the immediate impact of this school on the local residents, thus discussing traffic, site access and other issues raised. OWGRA and local coundillors have encouraged this public meeting.
More information is also available at www.planningbolder.org.uk
The school will be a 6 form entry for 11-16 and provide post-16 education for 250 students as well as providing a specialist centre for 25 SEN children.
The expectation is that the school will be open in September 2018 and you can register your interest for a place now.
Do send your comments in to info@planningbolder.org.uk
March 16, 2017
