The Heights Free School Information Pack on Permanent site optionsIntroductionA free school can be set up by any suitable proposer providing they meet the key requirements: a strong vision and education plan; evidence of demand from local parents; sound finances; and the capacity and capability to deliver a new school quickly. The proposal for the Heights was approved in summer 2013 and the school opened in September 2014, in temporary accommodation at the site of the former Caversham Nursery, just off Gosbrook Road.

The Heights Primary School is a 350 place primary school for pupils aged 4-11 years old. Though free schools can be primary, secondary, all through or 16-19. There are also special free schools and alternative provision free schools. In terms of size, free schools can range from small village primary schools to large city secondary schools. They could be located in traditional school buildings or appropriate community spaces such as office buildings or church halls.

Free schools are non-profit making, independent, state-funded schools set up by a wide range of proposers who want to make a difference to the educational landscape. These include: charities; universities; businesses; educational groups; visionary teachers; or committed parents. In the case of the Heights Primary School, the parent and teacher group who proposed the school dedicated their time to setting it up because of the lack of schools in the west of Caversham. This means any parents living in this area currently have to travel east across Caversham to school, often not getting their first choice school because of their distance from it. The Heights Primary school is needed to ensure that there are sufficient primary school places in Caversham as a whole and without it there would be a shortage.

Map of Primary Schools in Caversham and The Heights Primary School’s Catchment area

Once open, free schools receive annual funding at the same level as academies and maintained schools in the local area.

Background information on why we are consultingThe Education Funding Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Education, responsible for finding site for free schools. Following an extensive review of available sites in late 2013 and early 2014, the EFA bought High Ridge, on Upper Warren Avenue, with the intention of demolishing the existing building there and building a new building for the Heights Primary School. However, this proved contentious locally, and following representations from Rob Wilson MP, it carried out a review of the available sites in the area. The review concluded that:

1. High Ridge presents a deliverable if not ideal solution, though we recognise that developing the school there would be unpopular with a section of the local community:

2. There were no privately owned sites available that offer a better solution than High Ridge:

3. The only real alternatives to High Ridge are sites within LA ownership or held in Trust:

The three sites that were identified as possible alternatives to High Ridge were:

- The Mapledurham Playing Fields

- The Albert Road Recreation Ground; and

- Land at Bug’s Bottom.

As with the High Ridge site, it was clear from the representations the EFA had received on the Heights Primary School, that local opinion was divided on each of the sites. Rather than imposing an unpopular decision on Caversham, and creating avoidable ill feeling between the school and the community to which it will serve and become an integral part, the EFA asked Reading Borough Council to lead on consulting the people of Caversham.

Though engagement with the various stakeholder groups that agreed to feed into this information pack, a further site has been identified as a possible home for the school. This is land at the junction of Shepherds

Map of Caversham showing the possible sitesMAP

Lane and Kidmore Road.

This information pack will enable local people to weigh up the possible alternatives for the much needed school and offer their views, based on facts around all of the available options and the views of the local resident and campaign groups.

Reading Borough Council comments on the consultation and timescalesReading Borough Council is running a consultation exercise on behalf of the Education Funding Agency to help to identify a community backed site for the Heights Primary School.  An Open Public Meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 25th March at Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue, Reading. The meeting begins at 7pm. This meeting will be independently chaired and will be an opportunity for residents to hear the arguments for and against each of the sites. Residents who wish to attend are asked to register their interest in advance to help plan for numbers. People can register their interest in at http://beta.reading.gov.uk/schoolsite.  People without access to computers can register their interest by writing to: The Heights Consultation, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU. For residents who are not able to attend, a recording of the Open Public Meeting will be placed on the same webpage in the days following the meeting.

A Public Survey of local residents on a permanent location for The Heights Primary will then open at 9.30am on Monday 30th March at http://beta.reading.gov.uk/schoolsite. This is the opportunity for people to tell us which of the five sites they prefer and the reasons behind that choice. Again, hard copies of the Public Survey will also be made available at the Civic Offices in Bridge Street, and local libraries and leisure centres. Residents giving their views will be asked to provide a name and address. The deadline for Survey responses will be 5pm on Friday 1st May.

Education Funding Agency comments on the consultationWherever any new schools are located, it is natural that there are concerns about their possible impact. Many of those raised by groups in compiling this information pack are common to more than one of the sites being considered in this consultation. We have identified some of these key themes below and will ensure the appropriate action required to address each point. It should be noted that this does not represent an exhaustive list of issues the EFA will address and further work will be required to address legal, technical and statutory obligations of developing any site. The exact nature of this work will depend on which site is selected to be the permanent home for the Heights Primary School.

1. Disruption during development - Any building contractor appointed by the EFA will follow relevant planning conditions and will work with local residents to minimise disruption.

2. Legal matters, loss of amenity and precedent of development - Where a site’s status is affected by legal or charitable provisions these will need to be modified or addressed to the relevant authority’s satisfaction, prior to development. Where relevant, the EFA will consider the replacement and/or enhancement of any facilities that may be lost or impaired as a result of any building work. The EFA is only concerned with the development of a site for the Heights Primary School. Our work to build this school is not linked to any other development.

3. Site character - Where a site has particular sensitivities or characteristics these will be dealt with in reference to the relevant statutory planning

authority.

4. Building, site size and sharing of facilities - All sites are considered large enough to provide a 350 place primary school building in line with the latest school building area guidance. Not all sites will be able to accommodate full play/sports facilities on site. Where this is the case, as is common with many schools, off site facilities will need to be identified to ensure the school has full access to the curriculum. To help show the impact on each of the sites the following pages show scaled maps for each sites, along with blocks identifying a) the approximate size of the footprint of any new building on site (0.25 acres), b) the approximate size of a plot adequate to deliver most facilities on site, but that may rely on some sport being delivered elsewhere (1 acre), and c) the approximate size of a school site as per the latest guidelines. Where the school shares facilities with other groups it is expected that a Community Use Agreement would be entered into, protecting the extent and type of uses that are permissible. This agreement is likely to be a condition of any planning approval.

5. Traffic and travel - Where necessary, investment will be made into highways on or off any school site. Student and staff journeys to and from the school will be managed through a school travel plan and supplemented with investment in additional resources where necessary.

The Heights Primary School comments on the consultationThe Heights Primary School was established by members of the community following Reading Borough Council’s call for a proposer group to secure Government funding to build a Free School to satisfy the demand for increased primary school places in Caversham Heights and Mapledurham.

The vision of the team was to provide a conventional primary school of exceptional quality at the heart of the community, for the community and within walking distance of the majority of pupils. With seven Primary Schools to the east of Caversham and none to the west, the Heights Primary School offers a once in a generation opportunity to redress this long term geographic imbalance.

We’re delighted that Reading Borough Council has agreed to the unprecedented request by the Education Funding Agency to consult the community on options for the schools permanent location. The Heights Primary Trust’s aspirations are to provide a school:

Within Catchment; That will be an asset for the whole community; That is financially sustainable; That is within walking distance of the majority of pupils; and That has the ability to support full and varied curriculum

We are committed to ensuring that, whichever site is selected, the school will support and enhance facilities for the whole community’s benefit wherever possible.

Key facts about the Heights Primary School and the permanent building it will require. The Department for Education approved the application to open the Heights Primary School in summer 2013. The proposal was for a school for 4-11

year olds, which, when full, will have two classes of 25 pupils per year. 350 pupils in total. Follow this link to find out more information about members of the Trust that proposed the school : Members of the Trust

The school has a walk to school ethos, making it very important that the school’s final location is in or around the Caversham Heights area, in the west of Caversham.

The school opened in temporary accommodation on the site of the former Caversham Nursery, off Gosbrook Road. Click on this link to see the school’s latest prospectus: The school prospectus

More details on the school can be found here: The Heights Primary School website homepage The answer to other questions around the school can be found here: Frequently Asked Questions about the Heights Primary School Design of the school’s building and site will be informed by Building Bulletin 103, the Department for Education’s non-statutory guidance on school

buildings. The gross internal area of permanent building will be around 1,785 square metres. The recommended size of site for a self contained school, including playing fields, is 3.5 acres. However schools often use or share public facilities to

deliver physical education and external learning and this means, where facilities are available locally, smaller sites can be used. Assuming a two storey building, the footprint of the school building needed for the Heights Primary School would take up less than a quarter of an acre

(around 900 square metres), though additional external space is needed for things like play and car parking. The school will be individually designed for the specific site chosen following the consolation exercise.

Groups that have offered views contained within this information pack Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate). Name of Group, 30 word or less sentence explaining the group’s purpose, Contact details as appropriate Contact details (address/telephone/email as

you deem appropriate).

The Albert Road Recreation GroundMAP AND INFO PAGE

Views of local groups on the development of the Albert Road Recreation Ground as the permanent site for the Heights Primary SchoolCRAID views: 1. The main concern is the loss of some or all of a very popular and well used amenities well used by all generations of the community. 2. The loss of existing amenities (tennis courts, bowling club) would need to be taken into account and compensated for. There is potential to incorporate these in upgraded leisure facilities at MPF. 3. Though this is the best site in terms of location for the school’s catchment and likely need for school places. 4. There is good existing pavement, lighting and road.

POTH views: 1. The site is at the centre of the catchment area and within walking distance for the majority of children. 2. It is of sufficient size to accommodate academic buildings and playing fields if the site was used wholly for the school. 3. POTH would be concerned about the loss of some or all of the well-used existing facilities used by the wider community. These would need to be relocated. 4. The development of the school would dominate the site and POTH does not feel there is a critical need for the school to be located perfectly centrally within its catchment area. 5. POTH would also be concerned about traffic access to the site and the visual impact on houses that overlook the site.

SARP views: 1. The group is concerned about the prospect of losing the only park in Caversham Heights. 2. It is a secure and safe community facility, heavily used by people of all ages including for convalescence, and SARP do not believe that locating the school on site will be possible without having a significant impact. 3. Increased traffic could lead to further congestion and accidents and there is already a well-documented history of motor vehicle accidents, particularly near junctions close to the park. 4. There are no other similar facilities north of Caversham town centre and concerns that its reduction/closure will lead to increased anti-social behaviour. 5. Over time, SARP fear the school will take over/become protective of any space it shares with the public. 6. SARP believes that all facilities would need to be replaced elsewhere if this site were selected and this would be expensive.

SBB views: 1. The site is central to the catchment area, on the bus route and has some existing facilities such as parking. 2. However, because of the large proportion of the site that would be required for the school, development here could result in the loss of a very valuable playground for smaller children and the loss of sports facilities.

SFG views: 1. The site is centrally located in the catchment, so that a high proportion of children could walk to school and is large enough to accommodate the school plus outside play areas. 2. Road access is good, with access from a number of directions with minimal impact on other area traffic flows. 3. However, the relatively small site is popular and heavily used and the school would take up most of it, causing the loss of public sports facilities, which users fear will not be provided elsewhere. 4. Although central to the catchment it is outside the area of greatest demand, which lies further west. 5. There would be increased traffic on residential roads.

Bug’s BottomMAP AND INFO PAGE

Views of local groups on the development of Bug’s Bottom as the permanent site for the Heights Primary SchoolCRAID views: 1. The site is very central to the large areas of higher density housing created in the Hemdean Valley. 2. Potential to have access to safe outdoor space in addition to dedicated school play areas. 3. Large total site, so school area could have minimal impact on other uses of the existing land (dog walking etc). 4. CRAID feels residents will be concerned that building the school here will lead to more development of the open space within this wildlife heritage site.

EGRA views: The main concerns are: 1. Loss of ecologically valuable land and adverse impact on landscape. 2. Traffic generation. 3. Possible unacceptable “knock on” development in the area. 4. Caversham Heights, the area the school is intending to serve, would still be left without a school if Bug’s Bottom became its home. 5. The group believes there is considerable strength of feeling in Emmer Green as a whole against this location.

POTH views: 1. The school would necessitate only limited development of the site with the vast majority retained for open space. 2. Open and accessible countryside is available nearby. 3. Its location is on the periphery in the east of the catchment area, close to other schools, leaving the west without a school. 4. POTH would also be concerned about car access to the site and the impact on nearby houses, current users and wildlife – the site is of high ecological value. 5. Funding which accompanied the school could enhance open space elsewhere.

SARP views: 1. The site is large enough to accommodate a school, though is not located where the need is greatest.

SBB view: 1. Building on Bug’s Bottom would have a massive and long term impact on the ecological value of the site, disrupting the habitat and homes of various species. 2. The site is very well used by various different groups and there are no other sites with similar characteristics in the Reading. It is therefore very unlikely that any compensatory land would be available of equivalent or greater ecological value. 3. The location of the site would not provide places where they are most needed or were originally intended and a school on this site may not be compatible with the continued use of the remaining site – e.g. horse riders, bird watchers etc may be put off by the increased noise. 4. There are concerns about access and traffic due to the site’s location. There are concerns about the impact of development on local residents, both during building and in the longer term.

SFG views: 1. It is a large public open space in Reading, which can accommodate a school with outside play areas and the surrounding green space would be useful for children’s activities. 2. The area is of high natural and ecological value and beauty, and development would eliminate the wildlife which inhabits the site. 3. Though close to many homes, it is in the extreme east of the school catchment, near two existing primary schools, far from the area of greatest demand, which lies in the west of the catchment. 4. It could increase vehicle movements and there would be increased traffic on residential roads.

High Ridge, Upper Warren AvenueMAP AND INFO PAGE

Views of local groups on the development of High Ridge, Upper Warren Avenue as the permanent site for the Heights Primary SchoolCARP views: 1. The central location would encourage children to "walk to school" as envisaged by the founders. 2 There is a need for a school North West of Caversham Heights. 3. Children could make use of the sports facilities at Mapledurham playing fields. 4. The access road is a quiet residential street, with potential provision for one way traffic flow with a drive by drop off facility via Blagrave Lane and Chazey Road to ease any congestion; and a one way system would enable further pavements to be created and street lighting added.

CRAID views: 1. CRAID is concerned that because of the size and steep gradient on the site would require a multi-storey design and would make it unlikely that the school could be adapted to meet future needs. 2. CRAID believes building the school on High Ridge would be environmentally damaging and disruptive to the local community. 3. It has concerns about traffic, parking and pedestrian safety along this narrow, unlit road and partially pavemented road and other surrounding roads. 4. It is concerned the school will be reliant on accessing shared facilities at the Mapledurham Playing Fields and that this is not a self-contained solution. 5. Its location at the edge of the proposed catchment area will require large numbers of parents and children crossing the already busy A4074, a known accident risk.

POTH views : 1. The site’s location, in west of Caversham, is favourable because all the existing schools are in the east. In the longer term this may help to address the current position which has impacted the housing market in specific locations as families move close to schools to secure a place and results in the convergence of traffic flows and congestion. 2. The site is close to the Mapledurham Playing Fields and open and accessible countryside, though the lack of playing fields onsite for sport is a concern and the limited outdoor space may mean that children have to take staggered break times, reducing the community feel of the school. 3. The size of the site is likely to mean the school cannot expand in the future or to take bulge classes. 4. POTH is also concerned about the impact on the street and neighbours both during construction and in the long term.

SBB views: 1. The site is too small and steep to accommodate the school.

SFG views: 1. The site is located in the western part of the school catchment, where need is greatest and is not a public space, unlike the other three urban sites. 2. It is close to the Mapledurham Playing Fields and open countryside for the children to enjoy. 3. It is on a quiet road where additional traffic may be more easily absorbed. 3. However, it is a small, sloping site, and is likely to provide the smallest outside play area. 4. Road, pavement and street lighting improvements would be required to ensure safe access.

The Mapledurham Playing FieldsMAP AND INFO PAGE

Views of local groups on the development of the Mapledurham Playing Fields the permanent site for the Heights Primary SchoolAmalgamated user views. A number of users of the site have also expressed a view: Mapledurham Lawn Tennis Club, Friends of Mapledurham Playing Fields, the Bridge Club, 69th Reading Scout Team, Magikats, Escape. Views expressed by these groups were that: 1. A school anywhere on this site could impact significantly upon its current (recently improved) facilities and upon future development and create parking issues, impact on wildlife and reduce the rural atmosphere.  2. Facilities, including the pavilion are well used. 3. There are concerns about the impact that development could have on the community orchard (which is of increasing amenity value) and areas of archaeological interest, such as the unusual plough lines and Saxon bank that is populated with ancient oak trees. 4. There are concerns around the location of the site meaning a large number of pupils will need to cross the busy A4074 and consequential increase in traffic movements locally.

CRAID views: 1. We are concerned that the school development could lead to further future development. 2. However the site is large with several access points and very well located for school needs. 3. In consultation with the community, the school could avoid impacting on wider community use and could improve the overall amenity of the site for all residents alongside the school – eg potential to include an all-weather multi use games area, improving facilities for football teams. 3. The school would be self-contained providing parking, play and the school on one site. 4. Land profile and main access directly from the existing A4074 could give good, safe and flexible pedestrian and vehicular access to the school and other facilities on site. 5. It should be made clear that this school will be wholly funded by the Education Funding Agency and no development beyond the school is required or proposed (unlike previous proposals).

Mapledurham Parish Council views: 1. Is concern that any development on site could create a president for further erosion of this valuable public facility – it is the only open green space locally that is open at all times. 2. The site is extensively used by different groups of users and there are a number of possible locations for the school on the site, each with their own implications. 3. It is therefore imperative that these sites are considered separately in an additional consultation should Mapledurham Playing Fields be identified as the only location for the school. 4. The initial view is that, should it be located here, opting to locate it away from the A4074 where it less visual impact on the site and little or no effect on any pitches or games playing areas would be marginally better than other possible locations.

MPFAG views: 1. MPFAG is concerned that there can be no guarantees that this will not lead to further development. 2. Football and tennis facilities are well used and are among few north of the river that do not flood. The pavilion is also well-used community, and is currently undergoing refurbishment. 3. We have concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety and feel a large number of pupils will need to cross the A4074, this could be potentially dangerous. 4. We would have concerns about the impact of development wherever on site this ended up being.

POTH views: 1. The site is very close to the centre of the catchment area and its location, in the west of Caversham, is favourable because all the existing schools are in the east. In the longer term this may help to address the current position which has impacted the housing market in specific locations as families move close to schools to secure a place and results in the convergence of traffic flows and congestion. 2. Any school on site will mean the vast majority of it is retained for recreation use and should avoid encroachment onto the existing sports pitches. The visual impact should also be considered. 3. The site already provides good access on foot or by car to the site via the existing entrance off of a main road and is within walking distance for the majority of children in the catchment area. 4. The needs of the school would be complimentary to the needs of existing users. The playing fields are not heavily used during school hours. 5. The school may increase the usage of the playing fields. There is the potential for the school development to fund further improvements to public facilities.

SARP views: 1. The site could easily accommodate a school whilst still providing football and tennis facilities and school children would be able to enjoy the wider facilities available. 2. SARP feels that drive-through drop off arrangements could be accommodated on this site. 3. This is an ideal opportunity to link together the £200,000 already raised for improvements to the pavilion to EFA funding to provide an integrated top spec community resource for the school and community.

SBB view: 1. The site is close to the centre of the catchment area, where the school is needed and would provide a safe environment for the children to enjoy. 2. There are already some existing parking and sports facilities on site. 3. The existing pavilion could be restored as part of the building process (for all local residents to enjoy) 4. There is easy access from a main road and the site is served by public transport.

SFG views: 1. The site is located in the catchment area and in the greatest area of need, it is the optimum solution. It is a large flat site, with access from the Woodcote Road (A4074). 2. As a relatively small portion of the existing space would be required for the school building, existing play areas and sports pitches would be largely unaffected and could be improved/shared with the school. 3. The site is used less than other site options and can be approached on foot and/or by car from several directions, encouraging walking to school and reducing traffic congestion. 4. Improvements to road safety, such as installation of new crossings could provide safe crossing not only for children, but for all local residents. Similarly the existing pavilion's facilities could be upgraded, using the compensation received by RBC for the loss of public open space. 5. The site gives the children direct access to extensive outdoor play areas and sports facilities, encouraging greater participation in sport, in alignment with ‘healthier lifestyle’ government-backed policy ideals.

WADRA views: 1. A self contained 3.5 acre school site would be difficult to place anywhere on the playing fields where it did not impinge on the current football pitches, pavilion, basketball court, tennis club, orchard or wildlife areas. 2. We are concerned that the location has both traffic and safety implications, with large numbers of children crossing the A4074. 3. Use of the fields and pavilion by a wide group of stakeholders has increased in the last 5-6 years and plans are in place to refurbish the pavilion and discussions underway about further increasing sports use of the playing fields. As such, all possible locations on this site have their drawbacks including the loss of facilities and potential archaeological issues. 5. Land taken by the school would result in a net loss of green and open space in Caversham unless compensatory land of equal quality, close enough to enable access to the pavilion facilities can be secured.

The land at the junction of Shepherds Lane and Kidmore RoadMAP AND INFO PAGE

Views of local groups on the development of the site at the junction of Shepherds Lane and Kidmore Road as the permanent site for the Heights Primary SchoolCRAID view: 1. The site is just outside of the school’s catchment area, but has good access for many more densely populated areas without impacting on existing traffic difficulties. 2. The location may also positively impact on the pressure on existing schools further down the valley. 3. The site is not an existing recreational or used open space, so has less impact on the community. We would be concerned that the school, being within its boundaries, may in the longer term end up serving, so only helping the local pressure on places in the short term.

POTH view: 1. The site would be capable of supporting on site outdoor space and playing fields for the school and would not involve the use/loss of any public space. 2. The site is located just outside of the catchment area, within South Oxfordshire. The implications of this need to be understood. 3. We are concerned the site will lead to more car journeys and increased traffic on key routes. We are also concerned at the visual impact of houses overlooking the site and the loss of greenfield land.

SBB view: 1. The site provides open space and fresh air for the children to enjoy. 2. However, it is located outside the catchment area and Reading’s boundary, so children may not walk to the site.

SFG view: 1. This field is privately owned agricultural land, outside of the catchment area and Reading Borough Council’s boundaries, forming part of the countryside that borders the Chilterns. 2. The group has concerns about the impact of the school on local residents, both during and after building works. 3. There are concerns about the impact on wildlife and plant species and that this could set a precedent for further development in an area the local parish council is seeking to protect. 4. The group feels that the traffic impact would be worse here than elsewhere and that significant work would be required to pavements, lights and roads (which currently have no traffic calming measures) to make it safe to access to the site.

WADRA view – 1. Sufficient space for wide entrance off road, adequate space for car parking and good size playing fields as well as school buildings. 2. We believe that community acceptance is likely to be higher as it does not encroach on public green open space. 3. Fewer houses in immediate vicinity meaning less impact to local residents. 4. Site helps Reading prevent the loss of any further public space allocated to recreation and sports (Reading is below the national average for public green open spaces). 5. Location is better than other sites, reducing potential safety issues on the A4074 and drawing traffic from lower Caversham. 6. Wide pavements set back from main road for safer walk to school policy and close to where a large proportion of primary aged school children currently live.