Borough of Poole's Cabinet has agreed to investigate options to expand existing schools and build a new Junior and Secondary school.

Current estimates suggest that we could need between 400 and 1300 extra school places in Reception, Year 3 and Year 7 by 2018 to meet the rising demand for school places.

Following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, it has been agreed that the Borough of Poole will look into options for expanding existing Primary and Secondary schools, and will develop a business case for a new Junior and Secondary school in Poole. 

Cllr Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Capital Projects, Borough of Poole, said: "Borough of Poole has been planning for an increase in pupil numbers for the past six years and we have added additional classrooms in a number of our schools. However, there will be a time when it is not possible to simply add more classrooms to our existing schools and it is vital we prepare for that now. By looking ahead and planning for the future we hope to give ourselves enough time to plan for the new schools we anticipate we will require."

Possible sites already identified are that of the former Fourways day centre in Parkstone, with a study likely to take place over the next six months, and land in Creekmoor, North of Upton Road, which already has been earmarked for educational use in the council’s Local Development Framework, with a study likely to take place over the next year.

These studies will inform the development of proposals for securing the additional school places required over the period 2013 to 2021.