Primary school relocation to Glenvale Park Development given the go ahead at Executive Meeting
17 November 2023
Members of North Northamptonshire Council’s (NNC) Executive met on Wednesday 16 November to consider the proposed relocation of a Wellingborough primary school to the brand new school building at the Glenvale Park site.
It was agreed that Wilby CEVA Primary School will relocate to the Glenvale Park Development to coincide with the start of term in September 2024.
The formal Department for Education (DfE) process of making a significant change to a maintained school will now commence. Simultaneously, the necessary preparations and planning for the relocation will begin immediately.
Families from the Glenvale Park Development with primary aged children will be able to apply for a school place as part of the normal NNC admissions process.
We knew that we needed to arrive at the best decision which is why it was so important that we gathered as many views as possible. We reviewed the recommendations and results of the consultation and made the best decision for the children and parents of the school.Cllr Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills
We made an informed choice, and one which I believe was the right choice, with the best interests of the children and their education at the heart of our decision.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
We are delighted by this outcome. Our children will have access to better learning spaces, more vibrant and green play areas and improved resources and opportunities.Lynette Dudley, Chair of Governors at Wilby CE Primary School
We will now work closely with of our community to explore how we can grasp every opportunity offered. Given that this is probably the biggest piece of news in our 170 years of history, there will understandably be questions and concerns to work through.
It is also important to recognise that, while we are hugely excited about our future, we will never forget our past. Our school has a rich and proud history, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that the school’s ethos and sense of community thrives for generations to come.
We want to leave a much bigger legacy than simply bringing new homes to the area, which is why it’s been excellent to see the new facilities like the school come to fruition. The students and wider community will also be able to benefit from the recently opened nursery and our play park; a flagship recreational amenity for children living in the area.Mark Best, Director of Midtown Capital, Managing Partner of Glenvale Park LLP
In addition to the education facilities, Glenvale Park has generated a significant amount of social value from the delivery of our community hub, care home, local centre and business park. The new school is the perfect addition to that ambition, and I can’t wait to see parents and children across the area enjoy it for many years to come.
Background:
Earlier in the year a panel reviewed and assessed expressions of interest applications from Little Harrowden Primary School and Wilby CEVA Primary School. Following a rigorous interview process, a recommendation was put forward by the panel that Wilby CEVA Primary should be the school to relocate to the Glenvale Park site to coincide with the start of term in September 2024.
A formal 30-day public consultation was launched and was live from 5th September to 5th October 2023 and received 204 responses. The findings of the public consultation were considered at the Executive Meeting on 16th November.
Executive Members reviewed the results of the consultation and the proposal recommendations were:
- The relocation would support children and young people and their families to access high quality sustainable education facilities that enable the achievement of the best outcomes.
- The relocation would ensure the delivery of sufficient suitable school places that meet the needs of the community now and in the future.
- To ensure effective and efficient use of the education estate to meet the needs of all pupils.