Today (Friday) is the last day to have your say on Reading’s next secondary school, writes Tevye Markson.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) opened a consultation on July 17 to give parents and other interested parties the opportunity to have their say on plans to build a new secondary school in Battle ward.

The Council identified land on Richfield Avenue as the proposed site for a new six-form entry secondary school to meet the needs of students aged 11-16.

The consultation states: “Following a major expansion of primary school places in Reading over the last two years, the local authority is now looking into expanding secondary school places to meet increased demand within the Borough.

“The opening of The Wren School, the UTC and Maiden Erlegh (Reading) started a process of expansion, increasing the range of options available for students.

“However, provision across the borough is not consistent and, in the north of the borough particularly, there is a need for additional secondary provision as we begin to plan ahead for 2021. “

“This year alone, demand for secondary school places in the north of the borough far exceeded the number of places available.

“As demand continues to grow, it is essential that we plan for a new school to meet this need.

“The Council identified land on Richfield Avenue as the proposed site for a new six-form entry secondary school to meet the needs of students aged 11-16.

“The site has easy access from the Town Centre, from the north, and from the west of the borough.”

Consultations can be found at: https://consult.reading.gov.uk/consultation_finder/?sort_on=iconsultable_enddate&sort_order=ascending&advanced=1&st=open#cs-finder-results-container