14 Oct #Chigwell: Expansion in high school to create 300 new places
Work to expand a Chigwell secondary school is set to begin next September after an outline business case for the project was approved.
Essex County Council wants to expand West Hatch High School from a seven form entry school (1,050 pupils) to a nine form entry school (1,350 pupils).
The council’s projections show there is likely to be a significant increase in the demand for secondary school places in the Loughton area from 2018/19.
The creation of 60 new Year 7 places per year at West Hatch High School from 2018, together with plans to expand Roding Valley High School by 30 Year 7 places per year, would help meet that demand.
The West Hatch High School project would include the construction of a new sports hall and additional teaching spaces, but exact details are yet to be confirmed.
Subject to consultation, final approval and planning processes, building work should start in September 2017 and be completed a year later.
Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “The demand for secondary school places in the Loughton area is expected to rise dramatically over the next decade as a result of local development and larger year groups coming through.
“As a council, we are committed to ensuring the county has the infrastructure it needs to grow and are planning to spend about £360million over the next three years on creating thousands of new school places across Essex.
“This project at West Hatch High School will go a long way towards helping us ensure there are enough school places to meet demand in the Loughton area in the coming years.”
Frances Howarth, Headteacher at West Hatch High School, added: “We welcome this opportunity to expand to meet the increased demand for secondary school places in Essex.
“West Hatch is a very successful school, and will use this opportunity to continue to provide the very best education opportunities for the local community that we serve.”
