BASE HEADER

Opposition to using Priorsfield School as part of the provision for the travellers site in Bagington.
There is no pupil capacity in the school for extra pupils. Places will be reduced for local children. The size of catchment area is already very small - leaving families who live near the school unable to attend. It is particularly concerning to think of allowing extra pupils within the infant section of the school above the recommended number. The needs of siblings and people who live very locally should be on equal footing for places.
The disruptive nature of pupils leaving and joining classes. Priorsfield is a small school and is less ability to manage fluctuations in pupil numbers - there should be a max number of places of traveller places. I would ask that there be a cap on the number of possible places.
The school has just had an Ofsted report that indicates it 'Needs Improvement' - but no financial support has been given. Stretching the staff in other ways is not going to help the school move forward from this position. It particularly needs to extend pupils to level 6 at Key Stage 2. Your information indicates that children form travelling communities will be behind national average ability making the spread of differentiation particularly difficult.
I understand that Traveller children need to be catered for in terms of their schooling and know that Priorsfield may need to be part of the solution but I am concerned that this will not be managed or funded properly and has the capacity to overwhelm the school.