Shifnal Primary School to officially open its two new classrooms

The new classrooms at Shifnal Primary School (photo: PSG)

Two new classrooms will be officially opened at Shifnal Primary School tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 2 April 2019), with parents, pupils, governors, council and town officials set to join in the celebrations.

The classrooms have been in operation since the beginning of the current academic year, and are needed to meet the increased demand for school places resulting directly from the increased housing development in the town.

The classrooms are being fully funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a charge paid by housing developers to Shropshire Council to help fund essential infrastructure directly resulting from this housing growth.

A further two classrooms will be added to the other primary school in the town – St Andrew’s CE Primary – to meet the expected continued growth in pupil numbers in Shifnal in the next few years.  Building work will start on site in the summer and will be completed in August, in time for the pupils returning to school in September.  These classrooms are also being funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Nick Bardsley, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for education, said:

“We’re delighted that the new classrooms at Shifnal Primary School are being officially opened. The expansion of the school places relates directly to the increased housing in the town and so it is pleasing to see that this additional education infrastructure – funded 100% by housing developers – is meeting an essential local need.”

Adam Farrington, Headteacher of Shifnal Primary School, said:

“The additional classrooms will make a huge difference in meeting the increased demand for places at the school from families in the community, many coming from the new houses that have been built in Shifnal over the last few years.  The pupils and staff are very pleased with the quality of the additional provision and the positive impact this will have on educational outcomes.”

Further information

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can set on new development in order to raise funds to help fund the infrastructure, facilities and services – such as schools or transport improvements – which are needed to support new homes and businesses in the areas.  It is Shropshire Council’s role to determine how to use the majority of CIL funds to support infrastructure needs as a direct result of new development.  In doing so the council will assess the wider needs of communities, whilst prioritising the use of CIL for critical or statutory infrastructure such as education.