Plans for major expansion of Ashlawn School to meet demand in Rugby

Ashlawn School is in talks with the Department for Education (DfE) and hopes to open a second site with four year seven classes of 30 pupils from September 2017.

It is hoped the school will then “grow organically” to meet local needs until it is a school for those aged 11 to 19 and with up to eight forms of entry.

Staff have their eye on the mast site and land near to the water tower on Ashlawn Road but negotiations with the DfE are in the early stages.

Lois Reed, headteacher of Ashlawn School, said: “We intend to open an additional site with four year seven classes of 30 pupils from September 2017.

“The school will then grow organically to meet local needs until it is an 11-19 school with up to eight forms of entry.

“This development will be led by our existing team of educational professionals. We will offer our unique academic curriculum, in a highly aspirational environment, where all students are expected to make rapid and sustained progress above national expectations.

“We expect all students to continue into our sixth form and go on to be life-long learners and active global citizens, shaping and serving the communities of the future.”

April Gold, deputy headteacher, said the proposed expansion would help restore parental choice in Rugby.

“Our catchment area is under pressure and expanding would mean we could offer families high quality school places in an area that clearly needs it,” she said.

“We are an outstanding school and parents want to send their children here. We can use our local knowledge to provide a great education for pupils in Rugby.”

The school will be holding an information event on March 1 at Ashlawn School, on Ashlawn Road, Rugby.

The event starts at 7.30pm and places can be booked by sending an email to [email protected]To register interest or comment on the proposals, go to www.ashlawn.org.uk/expand or email [email protected]