6 days Ago
A PRIMARY school in Thornbury will double in size after “years of failure” to meet rising demand for places. South Gloucestershire councillors have approved the expansion of the Manorbrook Primary School while lambasting the lack of places for children in the district. The school will expand from 210 places to 420 places over the next two years, with two classes in each year group.
Two breach classes have already been created, and the expansion will cost South Gloucestershire Council £4 million to build. The expansion was approved by the cabinet on Monday, April 14. Thornbury and other parts of South Gloucestershire have seen an increasing population in recent years, with many new houses built.
But often the public services, like schools, haven’t kept up pace with new demand. Labour Councillor Ian Boulton, co-leader of the council and cabinet member for education, said: “It feels as if we’re really making progress now on catching up with the school places that have been lacking in the areas across South Gloucestershire in the past. “It’s something that’s very positive.
"After years of failure to build school places to meet demand, I am delighted this administration has today agreed further funding necessary to provide much needed school buildings.” The Liberal Democrats and Labour took control of South Gloucestershire in 2023, after the Conservatives had led the council for the previous 16 years. Similar issues have been faced by communities in new housing estates like Lyde Green and north Yate.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Simon Johnson, cabinet member for children and young people, added: “It’s important that as the population grows in South Gloucestershire we continue to develop the infrastructure that builds around that. "Seeing more school places to support children and young people is a massive priority, and hopefully one that’s welcomed by people who live locally.” New schools are also under construction in Lyde Green, a housing estate north-east of Bristol.
They are due to open to the first set of pupils in September next year. The primary school will provide a new home for Lyde Green Primary School with 420 places, and the high school will have 900 places. They were originally due to open in 2022, but have faced severe delays.
Speaking after the meeting, council leader Maggie Tyrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said: "Thornbury has been in a terrible situation where the houses have been built but no school places were provided. "Families have been struggling to get their children into the school of their choice. "This problem has been happening across South Gloucestershire.
"We came into office and started to sort out the problems. "We’ve looked at where the school infrastructure hadn’t been put in place alongside the housing. "We got Lyde Green school going first, and now we are starting to sort out the problems around Thornbury.
"Finance is an issue but we are being innovative in finding ways to fund these school build programmes.” Cllr Maggie Tyrell, Cllr Chris Davies and Cllr Jayne Stansfield outside Manorbrook Primary Cllr Chris Willmore (Lib Dem Yate North) said: "We inherited a mess and now we are sorting it out. "These are just the beginning of our school expansion and building projects.
"Residents have told us it’s not good enough building houses without building the infrastructure and we agree. "We hope to announce good news about Charfield and Ladden Garden Village schools very soon as these are seriously overdue.” Council co-leader Ian Boulton added: “After years of failure to build school places to meet demand, I am delighted this administration has agreed further funding necessary to provide much needed school buildings.
"We are committed to providing our children the best starts in life.".
