£2.5m plans to expand two south Leeds primary schools

Leeds City Council’s executive board will be asked to rubber stamp a statutory notice to expand Low Road Primary School in Hunslet from a capacity of 140 to 210 pupils at a meeting next Tuesday.

Councillors are also being recommended to approve a statutory notice to expand Cottingley Primary Academy School from a capacity of 315 to 420 pupils.

Under the proposals, pupil admission numbers would increase from 20 to 30 at Low Road Primary School from next September and from 45 to 60 at Cottingley Primary Academy from the same date.

Public consultations on the expansion plans were carried out in January and February this year.

A report to the executive board states: “The majority of the respondents support the expansion of Low Road Primary School and Cottingley Primary Academy.

“Concerns and objections raised during consultation have been considered and, on balance, both proposals remain strong as they address the need for school places in the area.”

The report states that the cost of Low Road Primary School expansion is estimated at £1.7m while the Cottingley Primary Academy expansion is estimated to cost £750,000.

Leeds City Council is currently working with schools, residents and partners across the city in areas identified as needing additional places due to rising birth rates.

Since 2009, the authority has had an ongoing programme of primary school expansions in place. The council has said it needs to create the equivalent of 25 extra classes to meet demand for the number of four-year-olds starting school this September.