At a recent meeting of the governors of Dundonald School, approval was given to borough plans for an additional reception year class to open at the school this coming September.

The extra class will mean that local parents who want their children to attend this outstanding school, but who initially were not accepted, will get a second chance. Letters offering these extra places will be sent to parents with the second round of offers in May.

The extra class can be accommodated in the existing school building given that Dundonald School used to be a two-form entry First School. The council agrees with the school governors that the extra class does not presume that permanent expansion to a two-form entry (420 places) primary school will follow, but there will be a detailed consultation starting in early May.

The council will be consulting on an imaginative scheme which will include the ageing ‘temporary’ park pavilion being replaced by modern pavilion facilities and the extra space for Dundonald to be a two-form entry school.

Merton Council cabinet member Councillor Peter Walker said: ‘I am delighted that we have acted quickly in working with the school governors to secure the extra class this September to complement the other expansions, since the rise in demand in Wimbledon is even higher than we forecast. I look forward to the upcoming consultation on permanent expansion which will be just one of a number of school expansions around the borough aimed at providing local education to local children. It also offers the bonus of new pavilion facilities for Dundonald Park as well as improved local facilities for the community.”

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