Merton Council’s Planning Applications Committee has given the go ahead to accommodate sixth form provision at four secondary schools in Merton.

Bishopsford, Raynes Park, Rutlish and Ricards Lodge secondary schools will have buildings delivered in February next year to accommodate a new wave of sixth form pupils from September 2010.

The council expects to accommodate approximately 200 pupils across all four schools from next year in an exciting move to give Merton’s young people greater choice when looking into sixth form opportunities in the borough and further raise standards.

Councillor Debbie Shears, cabinet member for children’s services at Merton Council says: “We’re now one step closer to making this major transformation for Merton’s secondary schools a reality. These are exciting times and we’re committed to continuing to drive up standards in Merton. Establishing sixth form provision in our schools will help to build further on the improvements we’ve seen to date.”

“Young people and the opportunities we can offer them are at the heart of these developments and we hope that more young people will soon enjoy the benefits of continuing their post 16 education in Merton.”

The buildings are due to be ready by the end of May so that year 11 students will be able to see the quality of the temporary buildings as they complete their GCSEs.

Notes:
Proposals to provide sixth form provision at the four secondary schools in Merton currently without it were given the go ahead by local councillors at a cabinet meeting in March 2009 following overwhelming support from the public during a consultation early this year.