Views are sought to build a new school in Lyde Green

[SGS1]

Consultation as begun to seek support from local parents to build a new 1000-place school in Lyde Green by 2021. An application for over £20m will be made by SGS Academy Trust, sponsored by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and supported by South Gloucestershire Council.

The school will provide places for the growing community of Lyde Green with a new 4-16 'all-through' school under the Government's 'Free School' programme. The school will be named SGS Parkfield School, after its close proximity to the former Parkfield Colliery.

An all-through school has the benefit of working with a child and their family throughout the educational journey and will support a child's education through four Key Stages of Education. This will allow key literacy, numeracy and core subjects to be considered and co-ordinated in a way which is not always possible when a child leaves primary to go to another, different secondary school.

SGS Academy Trust was formed in 2015 by SGS College and is experienced when it comes to establishing new schools, having already successfully set up SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College (UTC), and SGS Pegasus School.

Speaking about the proposal Kevin Hamblin, CEO of SGS Academy Trust, said: “We are seeking feedback on the outline proposal to bid for capital to build a new school in Lyde Green. This process is always over-subscribed and only strong, well supported proposals are considered. I would invite parents to look at the proposal and complete the short questionnaire at: academytrust.sgscol.ac.uk/parkfield/ or //www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RB99TZJ’’

[Cogger21]

Far too early to say that SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College has been "successfully set up" . School census data shows only 135 pupils joined in the first year of opening. UTC's are beset with difficulties - why would this one be any different?

[SGS1]

All recruitment targets at SGS Berkeley Green have been achieved over the first 2 years and there is now a student roll of well over 300 learners, which meets planned growth.

[Cogger21]

So currently half full then - in line with the majority of UTC's. And IF "well over 300 "learners" (aka pupils!) are in place why not give the actual number?
Bristol UTC had over 300 "learners" in 2015 - now down to 220 odd