Council to provide extra places at Hassocks Infant School

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has welcomed the decision of West Sussex County Council to provide a temporary classroom at Hassocks Infant School to alleviate the shortage of places for local children.

Mr Herbert raised the matter with the Council following a meeting with parents in Hassocks last month (27 February).

In a letter to Mr Herbert this week, the Cabinet Member for Education and Schools Peter Griffiths said that the Council would provide a temporary classroom at Hassocks Infant School from September 2009, and that an additional classroom could be provided if local demand continues to outstrip supply.

Cllr Griffiths confirmed that the Admissions Service would now be writing to parents to offer 15 new places.  However, he acknowledged that this number would not be enough to satisfy parents who live outside the school's catchment area.

Nick Herbert said: "I'm very grateful to West Sussex County Council for responding so swiftly to the concerns of local parents, and I particularly want to thank Councillor Peter Griffiths for acting so effectively.  I think a temporary classroom is the right solution to enable children to attend their local school."

The MP added that he was still concerned about the parents who lived just outside the catchment area in Hassocks, and about a shortage of places in other villages, including Hurstpierpoint, but he was relieved that the most severe problem in Hassocks had been addressed.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. Of the 21 local children not originally offered a place at Hassocks Infant School, 12 live within the catchment area. In Hurstpierpoint, there are 4 local children who have not been offered places at St Lawrence Primary School.

2. For the website of Hassocks Infant School, visit http://www.hassocks.w-sussex.sch.uk/.

3. For the website of St Lawrence School, Hurstpierpoint, visit http://www.st-lawrence.w-sussex.sch.uk/.