Parents’ fury as newly constructed net-zero ‘ghost college’ lies EMPTY on account of lack of pupils
A newly built net-zero school has closed before it ever got the chance to open due to a lack of pupils.
Waterside Primary School in the expanding Trent Basin estate, in Nottingham, was set to open last September and promised to serve 210 pupils with 30 nursery places on offer.
But the project, overseen by the Department for Education, has been embarrassingly shut down before a single child has even stepped foot inside after only a few parents applied for places.
Now, some families who moved to the new 350-home development where houses cost up to £500,000 to be near to school have decided to sell up.
Disgruntled locals say most people who moved into the estate were older couples and young professionals without kids and have branded the building a ‘ghost school’.
One local, who did not want to be named, said: ‘My wife and I are retired and our children have grown up and flown the nest.
‘I can only think of a handful of families with school age children living here so I am not surprised the school shut before it even opened.
‘It seems an awful waste of money and something which really should have been foreseen.
Waterside Primary School in the expanding Trent Basin estate, in Nottingham , was supposed to open last September
But the project, overseen by the Department for Education, has been embarrassingly shut down before a single child has even stepped foot inside
‘It’s a shame because the school buildings look immaculate and very modern but sadly it’s been built in completely the wrong place.’
Another resident, who moved into an apartment with her boyfriend, added: ‘My partner and I might have kids one day but we’re not rushing.
‘Even if we do have children I think we’ll probably move to a house in the suburbs rather than stay here.
‘When I heard a school was being built near the estate I was surprised because the people I know here are mostly in their 20s like us without kids.’
Meanwhile some families have reportedly decided to sell up after initially moving to the area because of the close proximity of the school.
The school project was overseen by the Department for Education (DfE), and the Greenwood Academies Trust had intended to run it.
The first pupils in the school, which was set to employ 22 staff, was supposed to open last September but that was put back until this year.
Last month the DfE pulled funding from the school due to low pupil demand and the academy trust has also pulled out of the agreement.
Disgruntled locals say most people who moved into the estate were older couples and young professionals without kids and have branded the building a ‘ghost school’
Last month the DfE pulled funding from the school due to low pupil demand and the academy trust has also pulled out of the agreement
Now some families who moved to the new 350-home development where houses cost up to £500,000 to be near to school have decided to sell up
The school project was overseen by the Department for Education (DfE), and the Greenwood Academies Trust had intended to run it
The trust says it will now be trying to find an ‘alternate use for the site’.
A spokesperson said: ‘In recent conversations, it has become apparent that, with surplus primary places in the area there is not sufficient demand for this school to fulfil the rigorous criteria for meeting place planning needs and that the DfE would not, therefore, put in place a funding agreement to open the school.
‘As a result, the Trust made the difficult decision to reluctantly withdraw as the prospective operator of the school.
‘As a Trust, we are dedicated to supporting our communities and we will continue to work closely alongside local partners to uphold this commitment.
‘This includes recommending an alternate use for the site which will benefit the educational landscape of the area and we will be sharing more details of this proposal in due course.’
A DfE spokesperson previously said: ‘Ministers have accepted Greenwood Academies Trust’s request to withdraw the Waterside Primary pipeline project from the pre-opening stage.
‘Our priority is to establish schools where there is a need for places and ensure government funding is targeted to where it is most needed.
‘The demand for places at the proposed school has not materialised at the rate expected in Nottingham City Council’s basic need forecasts.’
A council spokesperson added: ‘The Department for Education has confirmed that the proposed Waterside Primary Academy does not currently meet the rigorous criteria it sets for the funding of free schools and that the proposers, the Greenwood Academies Trust have decided to withdraw their application.
‘We are in discussions with the department about the best way forward for the site.’
