Talks over extra Leeds primary places

A PRIMARY SCHOOL in the area of Leeds which was gripped by controversy over a lack of places last year is in talks with education bosses about taking on a one-off bulge class from this September.
ll
l

Talbot Primary in Roundhay has told parents it is in discussions with the council.

Last year a parents group was formed in north Leeds after a group of more than 80 parents said they had missed out on places in all the local schools they had chosen in Roundhay, Moortown and Alwoodley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A high profile campaign led to 90 more places being created at Gledhow, Highfield and Wigton Moor Primaries.

Now Talbot Primary is said to be in talks with Leeds Council about taking on an extra reception class for 2016/17.

A letter from the school’s headteacher Parm Gill and chairman of governors John England said the school was was committed to ensuring that provision for the extra class would match the school’s current standards but “not at the expense of compromising on the quality of education for all our children.”

Leeds City Council confirmed talks were taking place with Talbot. The council’s executive member for children and families Coun Lucinda Yeadon said: “Our school places team is already hard at work negotiating with existing schools and other providers across the city to develop solutions to ensure there are enough good quality school places in the right areas.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Campaigners want to open their own primary free school for Roundhay from 2017 but say a bulge class at Talbot would help the situation this year. Mark Rowlinson said: “Talbot often has around twice as many children living nearest to it as it has places. It’s therefore best placed to make a difference for those living in the ‘black hole’.”