Chesterton Community College granted £10 million expansion
Chesterton Community College has been granted permission for a £10million expansion after months of campaigning for the move.
Education authority Cambridgeshire County Council’s children and young people committee unanimously agreed at a meeting at Shire Hall yesterday (Tuesday) to support the expansion, to be completed in 2019-20.
In December, staff and parents at the Gilbert Road secondary launched a petition calling for the expansion. It was signed by 1,130 people.
They argued that without a commitment to expand – and a start date – the school would not be able to take in all the children in the local area that would like to attend.
Councillors were told: “Chesterton Community College is a popular and frequently oversubscribed school. It consistently delivers high-quality outcomes and strong exam results.
“However, in recent years there has been no meaningful investment in the school to address historic condition and suitability concerns.”
The committee also agreed for council officers to work with North Cambridge Academy to develop plans for expansion of the school.
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the county council, tweeted after the meeting: “Fantastic to have a clear decision in favour of expansion of Chesterton school to make sure there are enough places for local children.”