Talks launched to see if there is demand for a new primary school in Daventry

Consultations have been launched to see if there is demand for a new primary school in Daventry.
The illustrative masterplan for the new estate, with the proposed school site in the bottom left close to the A361The illustrative masterplan for the new estate, with the proposed school site in the bottom left close to the A361
The illustrative masterplan for the new estate, with the proposed school site in the bottom left close to the A361

Education Excellence for All (EE4A) is putting together a proposal to the Department for Education for a new primary school on the planned Mickle Well Park development.

The Mickle Well Park scheme has been granted outline planning permission for 450 homes and a school on land north of Lang Farm in Daventry just to the east of the A361.

The school site is planned for part of the site closest to the A361, and it is proposed the school will be a free school run by EE4A.

EE4A has recently set up and opened a new special school in Daventry – the Daventry Hill School – which is having its new buildings constructed off the bottom of the Ashby Road.

If approved the new Mickle Well school would open in September 2018, in newly-built accommodation. It would draw pupils from the new Mickle Well Park development, proposed Churchfields development (proposed along the B4036 as an extension to the town) and parts of Middlemore.

Many families moved to the Middlemore estate after being told a primary school was planned for the development. But the county council decided not to go ahead with the school.

Since then the power to open new schools has been widened, allowing new free schools to be created. David Bray, from EE4A, said: “The Mickle Well school will focus on achieving high academic standards and a strong culture of good behaviour and respect.

“Current proposals are exploring nursery provision in order to provide parents from this part of the town with access to seamless and high quality provision.”

To get Government permission to open a free school, evidence of a demand from parents needs to be shown.

A survey for prospective parents to give their views is available at www.ee4a.org.uk/news.

As the proposal is developed EE4A says it will hold a series of consultation events with prospective parents and others in order to get feedback on the sort of school members of the community would welcome.