Tag: schools

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Consultation on additional school places for Crosspool children

Sheffield City Council cabinet has agreed that residents should be consulted on providing additional school places at Hallam Primary school for children from Crosspool.

Crookes Councillor Geoff Smith explains: “For 2012 entry there were not enough places at Lydgate and some childen went to Hallam or Westways. There was not a problem this year but it is likely that there will be too many children for Lydgate in 2014 and in subsequent years. Expanding Lydgate is not a feasible option as it has a four-form (120) entry already and it is not physically possible or educationally desirable to increase the entry.

“Shortage of primary school places is a national and a Sheffield problem. In Sheffield we are building some new schools in the areas with the highest population growth. Crosspool is not one of the worst affected areas and, anyway, it would be very difficult to find a suitable site for an additional school in Crosspool.”

The consultation, which was agreed at the meeting last week, will run 26 September-7 November. We’ll post more details on it as soon as we know more. Consultation information will also be sent to schools and nurseries.

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Video: Nick Clegg answers questions at Crosspool Q&A

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg answered Crosspool residents’ concerns at a constituency question-and-answer session on Friday.

Over the course of an hour in Hallam FC’s Sandygate clubhouse, the Sheffield Hallam MP responded to queries regarding the economy, jobs, the High Speed 2 rail link, the Leveson inquiry and the PFI project to renew and maintain Sheffield’s roads.

Questions were also asked about specific Crosspool issues. After describing their experience of travelling on the 51 bus route, one resident asked: What are the government’s plans to encourage provincial commuters to move back to using public transport? Watch the video below to hear Nick Clegg’s response:

He also responded to queries regarding the government’s policy on catchment area placements being within walking distance of local schools. Listen to his answer below (audio only):

The subject of the lack of bus shelter at the Vernon Terrace bus stop was also raised. Although local councillors are continuing to look into this, the deputy prime minister promised to also take it up.

Local residents had been invited to the Q&A via a leaflet through their letter box.

You can email our MP with your query using nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk.

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Tapton academy plans postponed

Tapton school
Tapton school: academy bid has stalled

Controversial plans to change the status of Tapton secondary school in Crosspool to an academy have been put on hold due to legal issues raised by the school’s owner.

Private finance initiative company Interserve and its funders Lloyds Banking Group have concerns over how PFI schemes work with academy status, particularly over the way the council would make PFI payments on behalf of Tapton after it has become an academy.

The school is still committed to the conversion and barristers are working through the issue, although no new completion date has been announced.

The proposed move is unpopular with parents and teachers.

Controversial academy plan in chaos (The Star)