Four schools in the city are set to be extended to accommodate rising pupil numbers.
The Duke of Bedford Primary School in Thorney, Stanground Academy, Marshfields School and NeneGate School will all be expanded later this year, following decisions made by Peterborough City Council to fund the works:
Duke of Bedford Primary School, Thorney – Works will begin in the summer to create two mobile classroom units with toilets. In addition, an internal reconfiguration of existing toilet facilities will take place to create additional facilities within the current building. The expansion works – which will be completed by September this year - will allow the number of pupils entering each year to have a phased increase from 30 to 45 – an additional 15 pupils per year. The project will be funded using CIL contributions from Allison Homes following its housing development in Thorney, along with additional basic need grant funding that the council has received for such growth.
Stanground Academy – An extension for additional dining room space is currently taking place at the school to ensure it can cater for rising pupil numbers within the south of Peterborough. The works started in March this year and will be open for use by September this year.
Marshfields School – An expansion plan to increase capacity by two classrooms with toilets to create 16 additional places for primary aged children with severe learning difficulties. Work will start in July 2025 and will be ready for use from September this year.
NeneGate School – A new teaching block with five classrooms to educate an additional 40 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs at the school, across a phased period of two years. As a result of the extension, the school would also extend its primary setting to the whole of Key Stage Two (years three to six). The new teaching block is expected to be built by September 2026.
Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, said: “The council has a statutory duty to provide a school place for every child living in its area of responsibility who is of school age and whose parents want their child educated in the state sector.
“We have made the decision to fund the extensions at the above schools because the current and forecast pupil demand in these areas. In addition, the number of children on Education, Health and Care Plans are also continuing to rise, especially in children with severe learning difficulties and social and emotional mental health needs. We want every Peterborough child to attend a school within the city and these projects demonstrate the hard work and investment the council are making in achieving this aim."