SALFORD COUNCIL SEEK TO INCREASE YEAR-7 PLACES AFTER BOOM IN NEW HOMES BOOSTS DEMAND

Inevitably as more homes are built across Salford the demand for school places will see an increase in the worst affected areas.

In recent years the Weaste area has seen its fair share of new builds with developments upon former school sites such as Tootal Drive Primary and Hope High School, as well as upon the former grounds of Salford Red Devils ground (The Willows) and the site of the old Weaste Cricket Club to name just a few.

At time of writing, even more new homes are being added in neighbouring Seedley which will only add to the burden placed upon the local schools.

This has lead to a situation in which Salford Council is now having to take 'temporary' measures to keep up with higher demand for places from the influx of newcomers that have come to settle in the area.

In order to meet this demand for Year 7 places, All Hallows RC High School on Eccles Old Road is set to make alterations to the school to enable a 'Temporary' increase in intake from 125 pupils to 150 over the coming two years.

Internal alterations to the building are set to be made in order to accommodate the new intake.

Across Salford, forecasts indicate that a further 490 year 7 places will be required between 2023 and 2027.

As part of plans to accommodate this, the government has invested in a new 750 place academy school in Little Hulton which will add an additional 150 places by September 2023.

Meanwhile the council is looking to liaise with existing schools in order to identify way to increase capacity in other key areas.

Over the past 4-years, 457 year 7 places have been added already across the City in order to cope with demand.

With even more homes set to be built across the city in the next 10-years it is only logical to expect the demand upon not only schools but also local services such as doctors and dentists to have an impact, so it is also logical to start that investment now rather than later.