School catchment area

[Debbie]

I have heard that a new comprehensive school is being built at Hartridge and that Langstone will come under the catchment area for this school. Does anyone know if there is any truth in this rumour. :(

[SallieM]

Debbie

It has been a worry for some time that Caerleon is very over subscribed. At the last assessment some of the governors of Hartridge expressed that they wanted the catchment of the school to include more children from professional families. Langstone only remained in the Caerleon catchment by a very narrow majority on that ocassion (around 2001 I think) From what I can remember it will be reviewed again in 2011.

Given that Langstone is growing rapidly, then I personally think it is a worry we will be transferred to the new Hartridge School catchment. Where did you hear it had already been decided?:eek:

[Debbie]

I was chatting to someone in the playground (as you do). Don't know if it's been confirmed-thats what I'm hoping to find out. It is a worry as my son will be due to go to comp. in 2012 which as I understand it is when the new Hartridge school will be finished.

[SallieM]

I have e-mailed education and learning at NCC for an answer. My son is due to go to Caerleon in 2011 so I am also worried. I will post their response on here. This is another reason to oppose the Hurrans develpment. More houses equate to more children and more burden on our schools. There is also the proposed housing on the Taylor's garage site to take into consideration. I gather from one of the governors at Langstone School that this has already been raised as an issue.

[Debbie]

Sally

Many thanks for your help.:)

[Admin]

My eldest won't being going to senior school but 2015 but this is a big concern for my wife and I. We'll both be watching this issue closely and will do all we can to ensure both our girls go to Caerleon.

Many thanks to Sallie for sending the email, I'm sure we're all very keen to hear NCC's response.

[kristie]

I am blown away by this! It is the first I have heard of it, and I truly hope it is only a rumour. We moved to Langstone from Henllys two years ago, and our primary consideration was the catchment area for comprehensive. Our eldest will go to comp in 2012 too, and it had not crossed my mind there was an issue about this. I did take the precaution of contacting the Council when we were buying our house, and they confirmed the catchment was Caerleon and that would not change. I know there is nothing we can do to hold them to that, but I would feel very aggrieved if there was a change.

I appreciate that my attitude may sound very snobbish, but I went to Bettws comp, from a 'professional family' in Malpas, and I would not want my daughters to experience the bullying that I and others like me experienced for being a bit different from the crowd.

Just read this report (http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/report/cont350563.pdf)and my mind is put at rest a little. There is no mention at all of there being a change in catchment to include Langstone, and it is anticipated that the school will only have an extra 400 places, the expectation apparently being that these would be filled by new housing developments around Lliswerry and the old Llanwern site (that is to eventually include a massive 4000 houses according to signs there). I don't know how many comprehensive aged children there are in Langstone, but I should imagine there are at least a few hundred. Combined with the extra children from new housing developments, there surely wouldn't be enough provision for everyone. Maybe I am just wishful thinking, but I am a little encouraged by this.

[SallieM]

Here are the responses I have received from Deborah Weston of NCC!

I can confirm that there is currently no work ongoing with regard to changing the catchment area for the Langstone area from Caerleon Comprehensive to Hartridge High.
I hope this clarifies the position for you.


The Cabinet Member for Young Peoples Services, who will be responsible for taking any decision to review catchment areas, has confirmed that there are currently no plans to look at this across Newport, and notimescales have been mentioned.

[kristie]

That is a encouraging I guess! Might be an idea to keep the email somewhere safe for future reference if needed. Thank you for taking the time to post the update.

[Admin]

Many thanks to you both for the information, very relieved to hear the good news.

Kristie, I don't think you sound snobbish at all. I went to a pretty rough comp in the North East and I've worked hard to give my kids something better. And there's nothing wrong with that.

We didn't really consider schooling when we first moved to Langstone in 2000 (kids are 2 and 5) but now it's a very big consideration. The possibility of our kids having to go to Hartridge would be enough for us to consider moving, and that's something we would do lightly.

Although NCC may end up changing their plans on this, I feel happy (as one can be) that given the amount of detail in their plan, any change is doubtful.