SOUTHAMPTON children could be in line for the city's first ever 4-16 state school.

The new school for 900 pupils would be built on the existing site at St Mark's Primary School in Shirley.

City leaders say the plans will include on-site parking, a cycle route along Shirley Road, a new pedestrian crossing and pedestrian and vehicle access to the new school.

As reported cash for the £31.86million build was pushed through cabinet in July last year.

Education leaders have welcomed the move - while local campaigners say they are "pleased" the ex civil service ground will not be built on.

As reported Friends of the Field group have campaigned for greater access to the field - after it fell into disuse. But they urged the council to ensure the public will still have access.

Co chair of the group Jeremy Moulton said: "A lot of people use it for dog walking and recreation and a sports club use it.

"We will wait to see the plans to make sure local residents still have access."

Head teacher of St Mark's Stephanie Bryant said: "I support the consultation to expand St Marks CE Primary into the first all through school in Southampton.

"It is essential that the children of Southampton have enough places in their city to go to school.

"I believe the plans are considerate of the need to keep the civil service ground for school and community use, whilst ensuring that we have the room needed to provide a full education to 4-16 year olds.”

 

City education education spokesperson Councillor James Baillie said the new school is a "fantastic opportunity" and added: "The proposed new all through school is welcome news as the city will be short of around 1500 places come 2022.

"I hope the council take on board all feedback given in the consultation process to ensure it is the first class facility the children of Southampton deserve.

"Having said that, there are still further places to find, and given how long the council have known about the space needs, they need to work hard to meet them and ensure pupils get an excellent education.

City education boss Cllr Darren Paffey added: “These proposed plans represent an exciting new chapter for education in Southampton.

"Being able to offer an all-through school on the St Mark’s site will be a valuable step in assuring the availability of high-quality secondary school places for our children. We welcome your views on how we can achieve this together.”

A public consultation about the proposals runs from November 21 to January 18, 2019. Feedback throughout this time will inform the development of any plans.

Open events at St Mark's Primary are on November 23, 2018 - 10am to 2.30pm, November 28 2018 – 2.30pm to 7pm, December 5 2018 – 2.30pm to 7pm and January 9 2019 - 1pm to 5pm.

 

Subject to the outcome of the public consultation, a statutory consultation will run from January 21 to February 18, 2019 with a formal decision made by Southampton City Council Cabinet in March 2019.