Danetree School set to bloom with expansion plan

Danetree School is set to bloom with it being asked to expand to become four-form entry Primary School

​Surrey County Council wants the West Ewell-based school to become an ‘all through’ primary school from September 2016 and admit pupils from 4 to 11 years of age together with a nursery taking children from age 2.

The local education authority, in conjunction with Danetree’s multi academy trust, GLF Schools, has moved to expand the school as the north west Epsom area faces rising demand for primary school places.

Headteacher James Broad said this situation will also be exacerbated when the new Manor Park and Noble Park housing developments are completed.

He also said the move was a testament to the work of the teachers and would now give parents a choice where their child can stay in a school from Reception right through to Year 6.

“The governors and I fully support the proposed expansion because we believe that becoming a primary school would be in the best educational interest of the school and pupils,” he continued.

“It is well known that there are unique complications and issues in relation to allocation of school places within the Borough of Epsom and Ewell because there are more infant than junior Schools.

“The current pressure on school places is adding to these difficulties so the expansion is also designed to create additional primary school places in order to meet the future demand.”

Entry from September 2016 will rise to 90 pupils, subject to planning permission being granted and works carried out.

There is a nursery and reception parents open morning at the Danetree Road school from 9.30am to 11.30am on Thursday 5 November.

There will then be a Year 3 prospective parents open evening on Wednesday 11 November, which will run from 6pm to 8pm, and a nursery and reception parents opening evening on Thursday 19 November from 6pm to 7pm.