School place planning

The Council has a duty to supply high quality school places, in buildings that are fit for purpose and located in the right areas.

To meet the demand for school places, new schools may need to be built or changes made to existing schools. You can find out about these proposals here.

Proposals for new schools

Where the need for a new school is identified, we seek proposals to run the school.

All recent proposals and the closing dates are listed below:

Proposal to establish a new forest primary school to serve Coalville
(Closing date: 22 November 2023)

Proposal to establish a new SEND school in Quorn
(Closing date: 31 August 2023)

Proposal to establish a new primary school to serve Market Harborough
(Closing date: 28 April 2023)

Proposal to establish a new primary school to serve Hinckley
(Closing date: 11 April 2022)

Proposal to establish a new primary school to serve Ashby De La Zouch
(Closed 16 March 2020)

Proposal to establish a new primary school to serve Castle Donington
(Closed 16 March 2020)

Proposals to make organisational changes to existing schools

We consult with the public on proposals to make organisational changes to existing schools. eg to increase the size of the school or to change the age range. The consultation normally lasts for up to 6 weeks.

Proposal to enlarge premises and increase capacity of St Botolphs Primary School

Past proposals

Establishing a new Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) special school in Blaby

Proposal to establish a new Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) special school in Blaby

 

The consultation for expressions of interest to run the new school closed on Monday 2 December 2019. The Local Authority submitted applications to the Regional Schools Commissioner on Wednesday 12 February 2020 with recommendations. The Regional Schools Commissioner determined the successful Academy Sponsor on Wednesday 18 March 2020. Community Inclusive Trust (CIT).

Establishing a new Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) special school in Shepshed

Proposal to establish a new Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) special school in Shepshed

 

The consultation for expressions of interest to run the new school closed on Monday 30 September 2019. Applicants submitted applications directly to the DfE and the Regional Schools Commissioner determined the successful Academy Sponsor on Wednesday 22 July 2020. Community Inclusive Trust (CIT).

Establishing a new Communication and Interaction (ASD) special school in Barwell

Proposal to establish a new Communication and Interaction (ASD) special school in Barwell

 

The consultation for expressions of interest to run the new school closed on Monday 29 April 2019. The Local Authority submitted applications to the Regional Schools Commissioner on Wednesday 10 July 2019 with recommendations. The Regional Schools Commissioner determined the successful Academy Sponsor on Friday 27 September 2019. Open Thinking Partnership.

Loughborough Thorpe Acre Junior School - New C&I Unit

 

This consultation closed on 24 June 2020. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by Lead Members on 4 August 2020 and will now go ahead.

Proposal to enlarge the premises and increase the capacity of a number of schools

Blaby Thistly Meadow Primary School, Great Glen St Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School and Kegworth Primary School

 

This consultation closed on 24 March 2020. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on 29 April 2020 and will now go ahead.

Oakfield school relocation

 

This consultation closed on 14 Febrauary 2020.

To provide Communication & Interaction (C&I) and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) resource

Bases at the Maintained schools below and expand two Maintained special schools to increase their capacity

New Communication & Interaction and SEMH resource bases

Expansion of special schools

 

This consultation closed on 2nd May 2019. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on Wednesday 26 June 2019 and will now go ahead.

Enlarging the premises and increasing the capacity of a number of schools 

Anstey The Latimer Primary School, Burbage Sketchley Hill Primary School and Desford Community Primary School.

 

This consultation closed on 9 May 2018. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on Tuesday 29 May 2018 and will now go ahead.

Closure of residential facilities

Maplewell Hall School, Woodhouse Eaves

 

This consultation closed on Monday 12 February 2018. Objections were received that were considered at Cabinet on Friday 9 March 2018. The proposals were determined by Cabinet and will now go ahead.

Hathern, Ibstock and Sileby schools

We recently consulted on a proposal to enlarge the premises and increase the capacity of:

  • Hathern Church of England Primary School from 105 to 210 places
  • Ibstock Junior School from 240 to 360 places
  • Sileby Highgate Community Primary School from 210 to 315 places
 

This consultation closed on Friday 26 May 2017. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on Tuesday 18 July 2017 and will now go ahead.

The Nursery, Countesthorpe

We recently consulted on closing The Nursery in Countesthorpe.

 

This consultation closed on Monday 3 April 2017. No objections were received. The proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on Tuesday 9 May 2017 and the closure from 24 August 2017 will now go aheaed.

Shepshed High School and Hind Leys College

We recently consulted on closing Shepshed High School and changing the age range of Hind Leys College.

 

This consultation closed on Monday 3 October 2016.  No objections were received. After consideration the proposals were determined by the Director of Children and Family Services and Lead Members on Tuesday 1 November 2016 and will now go ahead.

All Saints, Martinshaw, St Cuthbert's and St Deny's schools

We consulted on enlarging the premises and increasing the capacity of 4 schools.

 

This consultation closed on Tuesday 5 July 2016. No objections were received. After consideration the proposals were determined by the Director of Childrens & Family Services on Monday 1st August 2016 and will now go ahead.

Further reading