Designs to adapt Rydon school site submitted

Protest march leaving Rydon Community College in objection to plans. Pic Steve Robards SR1603799 SUS-160602-120659001

West Sussex County Council has agreed to close the Storrington school, based in Rock Road, at the end of the academic year this summer, as it looks to reorganise education in the area.

This is so that school transfer ages align with the key stages of the national curriculum with first schools set to become primary schools.

Thakeham Primary School is due to relocate to the Rydon site, alongside an annexe for Year 7 and 8 pupils at Steyning Grammar School, with an admission number of 166.

Protest march leaving Rydon Community College in objection to plans. Pic Steve Robards SR1603816 SUS-160602-120733001

Earlier this month a panel, chaired by the cabinet member for finance, considered and endorsed design proposals for the building works needed at the Rydon site.

Two planning applications for the works has now been submitted.

An extension to existing music rooms would provide Thakeham with its main hall with adaptations and extensions for its four classrooms, staff room, library, toilets, and other facilities.

The HORSA hut would be demolished to make way for a two-storey building including four classrooms, technology room, art room, toilets, lift, and storage for Steyning. Adaptations would provide the secondary school with a library and music rooms, with reconfigured toilets and storage space.

Proposals to alter the Rydon site to accomodate Thakeham Primary School (from WSCC's planning portal).

External works would also be undertaken to the parking, alongside improved setting down and picking up areas, as well as rebranding of the main entrances.

To view the plans visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/planning using codes WSCC/010/17/SR or WSCC/009/17/SR.

What do you think? Comment below or email the newsdesk.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Proposals to alter the Rydon site to accomodate an annexe of Steyning Grammar School (photo from WSCC's planning portal).

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.