'Urgent' expansion plans for Theale Primary School to be discussed this week

West Berkshire Council is planning to build a replacement for the Church Street school

PEOPLE in Theale can learn more about 'urgent' plans for replacing Theale Primary School at a meeting this week.

The Church Street school, rated outstanding by Ofsted, has been oversubscribed for a number of years but West Berkshire Council has secured £7m in funding in able to build a replacement.

The council identified 11 potential sites but said that the North Street playing fields is the only one that is suitable and financially viable.

The situation is complicated, however, as the land is owned by the Englefield Estate but leased to Theale Parish Council until 2029, meaning that the parish council must agree to relinquish land before an application can be submitted.

Speaking at a meeting in April, headteacher Catherine Morley said that it would be almost impossible for the school to maintain its outstanding rating if a replacement was not built.

Officers from West Berkshire Council will discuss the education, planning and highways issues of a replacement primary school at the meeting, which will start at 7.30pm in Theale Village Hall on Friday, June 5.