Sixth form college to enrol extra 320 pupils

The Colne Community School and College, in Church Road, Brightlingsea, wants its Year 7 to accommodate 312 pupils – an increase of 64 – from September 2016.

By 2020, there could be as many as 1,560 pupils in Years 7 to 11, and a year later, up to 248 pupils in its sixth form.

The school, rated outstanding by Ofsted, has around 1,240 on its roll and 200 students in its sixth form.

Principal Nardeep Sharma said: “The reason we are doing this is because of the increased interest in the school and Colne Sixth Form College.

“We are one of the few outstanding schools in the area and we have had much interest from locals for more places.

“Parents or carers who want their children to go to an outstanding school should not be turned away and families should not have to relocate simply to get a place with us.

“We are looking to be in a position where we say, ‘If you would really like to come here you will have the opportunity’, but we will obviously protect the partnership with the primary schools we have always had a relationship with.”

But Mr Sharma said he still thought the increased school size could see house prices in the area rise, with parents wanting to move nearby to send their children there.

Secondary schools in the county receive around £3,000 for each pupil.

However, Mr Sharma said the income from extra pupils would be absorbed by the need for more teachers and resources as he would not be able to increase class sizes.

He said at any one time in a school year there could be up to 30 prospective pupils on the waiting list.

Pupil numbers in Colchester had been falling, leading to the closure of Alderman Blaxill school in July, but are expected to rise dramatically by 2017.

The Colne is to consult Essex County Council and other secondary and primary schools in the next few weeks over the proposed increase.

If there are no significant objections, it is hoped the Colne can confirm the expansion in the spring.