Leeds primary agrees to take on 30 more pupils amid places crisis

A PRIMARY SCHOOL in North Leeds has agreed to take on an extra class of 30 pupils to help solve the city’s places crisis.
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Gledhow Primary was already set to become a three-form entry in 2016 but has effectively agreed to bring this forward because of the number of local parents who did not get into any of their chosen primaries.

In a letter to the school’s parents chairman of governors Dr Jophn Willott said people had received the devastating news that they had not been given any of their choices. He added: “Our ethos as an inclusive community school and our responsibility to local parents means that we felt we were obliged to see if we accommodate this reception class a year earlier than planned.”

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The letter revealed that the council first approached Gledhow about taking on extra pupils before Easter - and before parents had discovered which primary they had been allocated.

National Offer Day sparked anger in parts of North Leeds with a campaign group forming claiming there were at least 80 parents in Roundhay, Moortown and Alwoodley who had not been allocated any of their preferred schools. Leeds City Council has been holding talks with schools in Roundhay and Moortown about providing extra places.

Now it has emerged that Gledhow has agreed to take on an extra class. The letter to parents says the school had only agreed to this after being given assurances that the temporary classrooms would be of high quality and would be replaced with a permanent solution. The school is planning to hold meetings with parents to give them a chance to ask questions. The extra 30 places will be allocated on the same criteria with those nearest the school who are now on a waiting list for Gledhow given priority.