Plans for new school unveiled

The new primary - only the second in the borough in 25 years - will be built for the growing Waverley community.

It will be funded through Section 106 money collected by Rotherham Borough Council as part of the Harworth Estates development.

Deputy council leader Cllr Gordon Watson said: “The Waverley project is a crucial development for the borough and symbolises the confidence in the future regeneration of this part of Rotherham. 

“This addition will be a great opportunity to create a school with the newest and best facilities, particularly in close proximity to the our world class Advanced Manufacturing Park, which we hope to make the most of.”

Waverley will comprise nearly 4,000 properties plus shops, restaurants, health and leisure facilities built across 741 acres over 20 years. 

Residents have moved in to 450 houses so far. The Section 106 agreement - including £11.2 million for two schools - releases cash gradually as more people move in.

Building work on the first school is expected to begin in June 2019 with the first pupils attending from September the following year. 

RMBC’s Cabinet will be asked to kick off the process of establishing the school on July 11 and public consultation is set to follow in September.

A sponsor will be appointed as all new schools must be academies or free schools, under current Department for Education guidance.

Meanwhile, the council has published a “lessons learned” report on Eastwood Village Primary, which opened in September 2015.

A funding bid brought £3.2 from the Government and RMBC borrowed £2 million for the project because schools in central Rotherham were exceeding admission numbers.

The report said: “Several plans were amended, revised or further clarification sought by the DfE after the approval of the bid.

“Future projects will not be undertaken within such a tight timeline framework so this should not present the same challenges in relation to future new school projects. 

“Sufficient time will be allocated to ensure all stakeholders are fully engaged and informed in relation to future new school funding projects.”

Utility company delays meant Eastwood Village - built on stilts to negate flood risk - was not fully tested before it was handed over. 

The report said: “The shorter than normal construction programme of 11 months did not allow for unforeseen events.”