300 students to benefit from school expansion project
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed (23 February) to progress with the permanent expansion of Aylestone School, Hereford, subject to planning consent.
This decision will see the allocation of up to £13.1 million for the project, which includes funding from the Department for Education (DfE) Basic Needs Grant.
Expanding the school will increase capacity to provide 300 additional places for students from September 2026, in response to rising numbers of children in Hereford City.
The project will include some remodelling of the existing school and a new teaching block and sports hall.
The expansion project will work alongside the emerging Hereford City Masterplan which will see the creation of new cycling routes, plus proposed measures which will make it easier and safer for young people to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for commissioning, procurement and assets, said:
I’m delighted that we can now move forward to the next stage of design and build for Aylestone School. I’ve been fortunate to visit the site and can see the potential for the school with its proximity to local colleges and not to mention the fantastic nursery provisions. This decision also includes our commitment to developing an overarching ten year strategy for school places within Herefordshire, taking into account the infrastructure required and our desire to increase active travel and create sustainable, inspiring buildings where our young people can thrive.”
Councillor Diana Toynbee, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:
We are pleased to support the expansion of Aylestone School in line with our priority to invest in education and provide children with the best possible environment for their learning and quality of life. Demand for school places in the city is growing, and we are looking forward to making sure these improvements meet the needs of Hereford’s children and families.”
Executive Headteacher, Simon Robertson, added:
This decision is excellent news for Aylestone School. The significant investment in new facilities will greatly benefit both current and future students of Aylestone. The decision to progress the expansion means that we will be able to offer a place to 300 more Herefordshire students from September 2026. Increasing the size of Aylestone means we will remain a smaller school in the city but also allow us to offer more opportunities, both through the curriculum and also extracurricular activities, providing children with the opportunity to continue their education in our thriving, collaborative and caring school.”
