An ambitious programme of creating more primary school places entered a new stage this week as five more expansion plans were announced.

Merton Council has launched consultation timetables after proposing to add 30 pupils to the books at Gorringe Park and Liberty primary schools (Mitcham); Singlegate Primary School (Colliers Wood), All Saints Primary School in Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park Primary School.

The consultation about All Saints Primary School will include the use of the South Wimbledon Youth Centre and Community Centre’s main building, as well as how the council will accommodate community groups currently using the centres.

The council’s cabinet member for education, Councillor Peter Walker, said: “The latest school expansion proposals are part of our overall vision to offer quality local education to all our young people.

“Education changes lives and we want to give children in Merton the best possible start in life.

“The 39 per cent increase in birth rate we have seen over the past six years is leading to unprecedented demand for school places in Merton.

“This is a great opportunity for parents and residents to let us know their views and concerns about the proposed expansions.”

Eighteen schools in Merton have agreed to take on an extra class over the past three years, which the council said will allow more children to walk to school.

Dates for public consultation meetings are:

  • Gorringe Park: November 21, 9am;
  • Liberty: November 23, 9am;
  • All Saints: November 30, 7pm;
  • Singlegate: December 6, 7pm;
  • Wimbledon Park: December 13, 7pm;

The council has also invited residents and parents to take a look at the consultation papers and planning applications for the proposed additional buildings at merton.gov.uk/schoolsconsultations.

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