The challenge of meeting demand for school places in Peterborough

This is a tough challenge - Peterborough has grown hugely over the past decade and is going to continue to do so, writes Jonathan Lewis, Peterbrough City Council director for education.

Whilst it’s great that we live and work in a thriving city which people want to move to, it goes without saying that we have to thoroughly plan for the repercussions on our schools.

We have worked with head teachers to create additional space where necessary, such as the extension at Jack Hunt School which opened last year and increased capacity by 150.

Last week saw the confirmation of secondary school places for the next academic year and I’m pleased to report that more than 80 per cent of pupils were allocated a place at their first preference school.

Once again we received a high number of applications and I was delighted that 95.3 per cent of children secured an offer for either their first, second or third preference schools.

Any parents still yet to apply are urged to do so as soon as possible.

Visit www.peterborough.gov.uk for details.

Parents have the right to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel about any offered place.

Details of how to appeal are included with the offer letters, on the council website and on the applicant’s preferred school website.

I’m sure many of us can remember learning times tables at schools, which is crucial for future success in mathematics, and a vital lifeskill.

From this year, all state-funded maintained schools and academies (including free schools) in England are required to administer an online multiplication tables check (MTC) to year 4 pupils.

This will determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, and help schools to identify children who need extra support.

Schools will have a 3-week check window, starting on 8 June, to administer the MTC and we are currently working to ensure all pupils, teachers and staff are fully supported and prepared for this.

We will shortly be publishing an information leaflet aimed at parents, so look out for this if your child is due to take part.

The Peterborough Year of Reading campaign is continuing at pace and this month there’s a chance for children aged four to 12 to win tickets to see Billionaire Boy at the New Theatre.

To be in with a chance of winning, youngsters are being invited to design a poster promoting their favourite book.

Three lucky winners will win tickets for their family to see the opening night show on Wednesday, March 18, and they can choose a friend’s family to come along too!

You can choose any book and the poster can be as creative as you like – so long as it fits onto an A4 piece of paper.

Designs should be sent to: Sally Atkinson, c/o School Improvement Team, Peterborough City Council, Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Fletton Quays, Peterborough, PE2 8TY

The deadline for entries is Monday 16 March.

Please send the original version as won’t be able to use scans.

Please also include the following entrant information on the back of the design: 1. Name 2. School 3. Age 4. Contact email address for parent/teacher.