In answer to our protests we have received the following update:

In terms of action taken, we have already agreed the following increases:

Bernards heath Infant – +1f.e. (form of entry ie 30 pupils)
Mandeville Primary – +1 f.e. (with an additional over-allocation of 15 places)
Margaret Wix Primary – +1 fe (with an additional over-allocation of up to 1 f.e.)
Cunningham Hill Infant – + 1.f.e (for 1 year)
Mount Pleasant Lane – Over allocation by 10 places
Sauncy Wood – over allocation of up to 1 f.e.
St Helen’s – over allocation by 5 places
Holywell Primary – +0.5f.e.
Cassiobury Infant – +1 f.e. (2 years)
Beechfield Primary – + 1 f.e. (2 years)
Laurance Haines Primary – +1 f.e. (2 years)
Oxhey wood Primary – Over allocation by 9 places

This equates to approximately 11 f.e. of additional places being made available in these two areas since 2008.

In terms of securing future provision, a rigorous analysis of all primary schools is underway and we continue to work with the District and Borough Council to ensure that every opportunity to increase primary school provision is assessed and tested.  Particularly in St Albans, this involves the consideration of sites which are not in HCC ownership to deliver a new 2 f.e. primary school to serve the city centre.  We all accept that this level of provision is required to serve this area, and that there is understandable public interest in progress in this respect.  However, we are not yet at a stage where we could move forward proposals to open a new school as no site has been secured.  We share the frustration, but continue to work hard to ensure that pupils are allocated places in the face of a continued rising numbers.