St John’s Primary School wants to decrease its pupil numbers, from 45 down to 30, for the September 2009 admissions.

The admission number of 45 was agreed with the school to accommodate a bulge in primary school numbers in the town, which has now past.

Current numbers at the school are lower than the capacity and therefore facilities, finances and resources could be put to better use.

St John’s currently serves south west Kenilworth and in recent months pupil numbers have fallen in the area, leaving the school requiring fewer rooms for teaching purposes.

There are currently 191 pupils on roll and a new children’s centre is being developed at the site.

Although it is hoped that this will add to pupil numbers, the school would be able to meet all forecast demand for places from within its priority area with an admission number of 30 pupils per year.

It is considered that even with the lower admission number of 30 pupils per year, there would be enough places at St John’s Primary School for all of the pupils in its priority area who wish to obtain a place at the school.

Forecasts of pupil numbers for the Kenilworth area, up to September 2012, indicate that there would be more than sufficient school places in the area to meet parental demand.

Parents living outside the school’s priority area would still be able to apply for places but under the county council’s admissions policy they would have a lower priority for admission than pupils living in the area.

If the admission number for the school is reduced to 30 pupils per year, one less classroom will be used as a teaching base in 2009.

It is intended that any surplus classrooms will be available for community use.

Under the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ ‘Net Capacity’ regulations, changes in the use of rooms will reduce the School’s capacity to 210 pupils.

The consultation papers will be sent to parents, prospective parents, staff, the governing body and Pupil School Council of St John’s, local schools, Warwick District Council, parish councils, diocesan education authorities, admission authorities and neighbouring local authorities.