THE next phase of the county’s controversial schools reorganisation review is set to continue with six primary schools in Suffolk set to be expanded to take in more pupils.

The county council’s development control committee is set to discuss the applications at its meeting next week – five are directly connected to the Schools’ Organisation Review (SOR) in mid and west Suffolk.

The applications are:

Rattlesden Primary School – a new block with classroom, pupil and staff toilets, lobby, and plant room.

Woolpit Primary School – two classrooms in a new block.

Ixworth Primary School – two classrooms and toilets.

Barningham Primary School – Single new classroom.

Honington Primary School – Two new classrooms.

There is also an application for a extension to be built for Grundisburgh Primary School near Woodbridge – this is not part of the reorganisation, it would provide new accommodation for the reception class at the growing village school.

The committee is due to discuss the applications at its meeting next Thursday, January 24, but the expansions of the primary schools are vital to the controversial change from three to two-tier education.

The costs of the expansions have not been revealed – but are certain to run into several hundreds of thousands of pounds and have been included in the budget for the school reorganisation.

Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for education and young people said the application were vital for the entire reorganisation.

He said: “These planning applications are an important part of the SOR process and clearly demonstrate the significant improvements that will be made to primary schools taking on extra year groups.

“Improving education attainment is the county council’s priority and reorganising schools into a two tier model is critical to success in achieving that aim.”

The extensions are due to be built at the schools over the next three years if planning permission is granted by the committee next week.