Serco is seeking to use BB98 as an excuse to close the current Haywood site. The final draft of BB98 can be seen here.

The following paragraphs relate to the total (gross) area of the school site:

Site Area The total, or gross, area of the site can be separated into two categories: net site area, or playing field area, which can be accurately calculated from the formulae in appendix 1 and in this part; plus any agreed supplementary net site area; and buildings and access area, which will be more variable depending on the configuration of new and existing buildings and site constraints, but will generally increase in proportion to the net site area. The total of these categories gives the total (gross) area of the site. The total site area required will depend on the design of the site and the layout of the buildings. Generally, the total site area needed for a new secondary school may vary between 110% and 125% of the net site area (such that the net site area is 80% to 90% of the total), depending on the layout and type of site. (This calculation only relates to the total area of the site including playing fields. The proportion of buildings and access area on a confined site, or one where playing fields are elsewhere, will be much higher). The total net site area required by an inclusive community school should not normally need to exceed the recommended net site area for the number of pupil places and age range of the school.

Here are some calculations that we have done. It does become a little complicated!

The Elected Mayor has quoted the area of the Haywood site as 5.87 ha
(1 hectare = 100 m  x 100 m = 10,000 m²)

Using the graphs and formulae on page 50 of the document, we made the following calculations (please remember that we may be wrong - interpreting these documents is not easy):

Given:

Net Site Area (NSA) = 13000 + 47N where N is the Number of Pupils.

Likely Total Site Area (LTSA, 110-125% of NSA) = 58,700 m² (5.87 ha)

Now we have to calculate N, using the upper and lower parameters above (125% and 110%)

For the upper limit of 125% NSA:

LTSA = NSA x 125%

58700 = (13000 + 47N) x 125/100

58700 x 100 - 13000 = 47N
       125

(46960 - 13000)/47 = N

N = 723 rounded to the nearest whole number

For  the lower limit, 110% NSA, by the same method:

N = 859

So the current Haywood site could, within the guidelines, support  somewhere between 723 and 859 pupils.

The respective per pupil areas are:
125%: 81.19 m²
110%: 68.34 m²

Taking the lower figure, Haywood would need to find some 2802 sq m (50m x 56m) more area to accomodate 900 pupils, which is the smallest pupil number in the proposals.

However, on page 51 of the document, the following can be found:

In confined sites, the sports pitches area may be provided on a nearby site and/or through a single all-weather pitch. Where there are no other outdoor PE facilities on the site, a multi-use games area (see page 52) within zone W should be provided on the site, to allow easy access for outdoor team games. The area of the remaining three categories of space may only be achievable at the zone or area below that recommended for normal sites.

The document that we found is only the final draft of guidelines. It may or may not have the force of law.

In case the Council are still set on closing the Haywood site due to its size, they should remain mindful of the above statement: 


and consider the open land over Dolly's Lane to be used as pitches.

Here are some pictures of the former Sneyd Brickworks land, bordered by Port Vale FC, Dimensions Leisure Centre and Dolly's Lane. Apologies for the poor quality of the pictures - the weather conspired against us!