Falling demand for places
A falling birth rate in Leeds meant that the number of children in primary schools was falling by 1,000-1,500 children per year. In 2002, Education Leeds had around 9,000 surplus places across 241 primary schools. These surplus places were associated with costs that could otherwise be spent on teachers, support staff and other educational resources, so Education Leeds undertook a review of primary education to identify a course of action.
The review identified two primary schools that had experienced a significant fall in the number of pupil enrolments in recent years and had a particularly high level of surplus places. At Sandford Primary School, 45 per cent of the places were unfilled, while Wyther Park Primary School had 29 per cent surplus places.
Outdated buildings
In addition to the issue of pupil enrolments, both primary schools needed extensive modernisation. Sandford occupied a large two storey building that was built in 1941 and required work to update its roof, windows and heating. Wyther Park Primary School was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1992, but needed further work to improve its brickwork and two temporary classrooms that were in poor condition.
The blue room at Hollybush
The review recommended the closure of Sandford and Wyther Park primary schools and the development of a new school on the Sandford site to accommodate the pupils of both schools.
Topics associated with this project
Education, Planning, School, Training