Comments and questions from stakeholders

I welcome the expansion of the school. I think the immediate community needs it and I feel the school has an obligation to cater for all the children within its catchment area regardless of religious beliefs. We currently have four and five year olds in the community travelling to school by bus and this is not acceptable. I also think the school building itself is in dire need of modernisation and repair and am well aware that in our current economic climate, the money to do this in detail and to such a scale will not be available any other way. I think that it will be difficult to sway parents of the older years 5 and 6 for the reason that their children may not benefit from these changes. I do think if these children could be promised extra attention during these works, ie extra educational resources, possibly  extra TAs, maybe after school classes to help these children really reach their full potential and give them a final boost before moving on to secondary school. This will go someway to compensate for the fact that these children will be disrupted and not be the future beneficiaries of the improvements that the work will bring. The parents then may feel differently if they are given some assurance that their children will be given some priority. Member of the local community


I assume this is the statutory consultation, in which case could you confirm what the closing date is? I can't see it here (apologies if I'm missing it). Also, will you be posting the answers to peoples questions to avoid repetition? Parent


I'm worried that the school is not suitable for expansion. There is already over-crowding on the streets around the school especially on the bridge. With more numbers this access would be pushed to the limit and it is already a struggle to get to school with the existing number of children. The outside playground space is very limited as it is and with an increase in pupil number how will that work? This school was originally built for local community children and I think it should remain as such. Expansion would help improve the school's structural problems but may create other problems. Parent

Why is this page set up with the clear intention of promoting the idea as opposed to debating it? Opportunities column longer than the challenges column. The frequently asked questions (huthum) with rosy answers is particularly offensive. How much pressure is the school under to push this through? Parent


I feel very strongly against the school expansion for multiple reasons. I only hope that people's opinions are actually listened too, as is so often not the case in the way the school is run. I do not know one single parent in favour of the expansion. Trying to walk along College Road and Purves Road in the morning is a very difficult task with a young child due to the volume of people. I can not believe that children's safety is being put at risk on the basis of greed for extra money that would be better invested in a school currently neglected - ***. This is also a local community school but overlooked because standards are so poor and places are filled by children from other areas not locals - make this school great and many more children would have a place in Brent. The school is oversubscribed because local children are denied a place in favour of those with points gained from church attendance who often live outside the catchment area. If we are really talking about a Christian duty to the local community shouldn't the local community come higher up the points system? There is physically not enough space for the children to play currently. My child often gets upset about the tiny cramped space Year 1 and 2 are allocated.  There simply isn't enough space and children's welfare should be considered. Christmas fairs, summer fairs and school plays would become impossible. All these activities play an important role in creating a school, community. You can barely move as it is. The disruption to the children's learning through the building phase can not be underestimated. I can only pray that the governing body will wake up and realise that expansion is not the solution and will ultimately destroy the school and potentially have a serious impact on the current pupils education. I appreciate funding is tight but surely its not morally right to take this money when other schools in the area are in a far better position, such as having the physical space or more immediate requirements for funding? Parent



I understand the arguments for expansion but personally think it would be the wrong decision.  I think the recent success of the school has to a great extent been the result of the community feeling of the school. It is small enough for the staff, children and parents to know a high proportion of other people at the school. Everyone has responded very positively to that and it has created results. When asked about the school by prospective new parents that is the first thing I say. It's a happy place  with a real sense of community which is not often the case in inner city schools. Increasing the population of the school by 50% will inevitably have a significant impact on that environment and having discussed with parents of children at schools with three form entry the atmosphere would be very different to the detriment of the pupils.
Parent


It's really good you've posted peoples reactions to the expansion plan. If it went ahead would the chance of non church applications radically improve? Having seen the plans on the website the real drawbacks seem to be:
no immediate outdoor access for the yr 1 class rooms
the loss of the Peace Garden to expand the halls ...would they big enough to hold 210 more children & accomodate the audience at school productions
Facilities for Art don't see to be on the map though were mentioned in the list of carrots..I worry that the workshops will not happen at all if the expansion goes ahead.
Hampton Guerney primary school,which is cited by a parent as an example of successful expansion with playgrounds in the sky, is a new build off the Edgware Rd ina very bullt up area that shouldn't be compared to Kensal Green.
Parent



I'd like to know whether the entrance criteria would change if there were an expansion. Will there still be a points based system based on church attendance. I have 1 child at the school in Nursery and another child that would hopefully join in 2015. Personally I would prefer the entrance criteria to be maintained. This is a C of E school and so preference should be given to families that attend local churches regularly. If this is dropped, it is unclear (whether positive or negative) what the effect on the school, ethos and make-up of parents will be. Given that this is a risk, it's a risk not worth taking with a good school like PF. Other non-faith school are better placed to expand within the non-church going community as they have more experience in this area.  If the expansion were to be strictly based on the current entrance criteria (and if it can be shown that there are at least 30 church attending children at one of our local churches who currently don't get in), I would be more favourable about the expansion.
Parent



When my son started at Princess Frederica I loved the fact that despite being 3 he soon knew many children in the years above him and this gave him confidence and a feeling of belonging both to a community and to a lovely school , especially when out and about away from the school. I worry that with school expansion we will lose that feeling of belonging and intimacy that allowed him to thrive with confidence in what was already a larger than average school .
If I were choosing schools today and Princess Frederica was a 3 form entry school I would seriously consider whether I would want my son to attend on the basis that it would just be too big for a child so young. Parent




I am very concerned about the expansion. I live next to the school and already see the impact at school opening and closing times, as our school sits on a small residential street. As the school has a church attendance policy, the truth is that school expansion will not open up more places to local children. It will simply mean children commuting, often by car, from further afield. Parent




Has the school looked into using the library building on Bathurst Gdns as a nursery facility?? I have often thought that it would benefit the nursery children to be slightly separated from the rest of the school as it can be very overwhelming and they are only 3! It is also a beautiful building with fantastic space, and could also house the school library? This would then free up an entire classroom for the expanded reception. With my children just starting at the bottom of the school, I am seriously concerned about how long their classrooms will spend being disrupted. I also agree that the application system would far benefit the community by giving families living close to the school priority. There are families on my street, next to the school, who have been going to PF for generations, but their children aren't being given places. Parent




I would be concerned about the lack of a travel plan, and making the school larger would compound what is already a problem. Because not all students live locally, those who do not have to be driven, or take the train. They are not able to ride bikes, as there is nowhere to leave them. Nor can they leave scooters. There is no room to drop off kids from cars, and no where to park for those who are forced to drive. Unless this can be addressed I don't see how it will work to increase the number of students. Parent


As long as there is full consultation and proper consideration given to how the plan would be implemented, I don't see how any parent can morally say no to this expansion. How can we deny the benefits we have had from sending our children to this brilliant school to other children seeking it? Expansion does not necessarily mean a destruction of the wonderful school community. I agree there does need to be better crowd management at arrival and pick up. Those opposing this need to look at their motives for doing so. Would they be so vociferously against it if they were trying to get their children into Freds under the current conditions? Parent



I fully appreciate the issue around a lack of school places in Brent and the rest of London and therefore did take the time to consider these proposals, review the plans and attend a meeting. I also appreciate that we need to consider the needs of future generations and not just our own children's education. However, taking all this into account I can not see how anyone's needs would be best served by further overcrowding a school which has already been earmarked (by independent assessment  as lacking in sufficient space. A primary school needs to be a warm and friendly environment, something which the school has managed to maintain despite the current crowding but I can not how this will be maintained with half as many children again in such a small area. You already have to struggle through crowds of parents in the morning into a packed playground, the children have so little space to play outdoors. All the evidence from overseas education points to the important of physical activity in learning for young children and I already worry about the lack of space to allow for this. There is a lot of talk about how good planning will reduce many of our concerns, however, as I understand it we will not have a choice of architect and the Brent' plans are considerably less attractive than the ones drawn up by parent architects. I know there is a hope that we can negotiate with Brent but people who have gone through similar experiences in their schools claim that in reality the local authority will go for the cheapest option and there is little scope for individual schools to pick and choose how they proceed. In my view there is a lot that is not known going into this and the risks to both our own and future children's well being at the school are too great to proceed. Parent



I understand from attendees of the last meeting that the debate was a highly emotional one with both for and against points being argued passionately. Unfortunately I was unable to attend but as an old parent who has been involved with the school since the 1990's and aware of how the school was nearly closed by Brent my view is that some change is better than none at all. We need to be mindful of being able to serve the community as a whole and the governors need to make decisions that will benefit the entire school as opposed to being worried about their personal friendships and whether people pleasing will enable them to remain in their seats. Many years ago when tougher decisions had to made I remember a group of parents willing to stand it alone in the cold and be unpopular so that Freds remained open and inclusive to all. Princess Frederica is a community school and we need to embrace change even if it is at the expense of roads being closed and our children having to bear short term hardship. goodness knows there has been enough gentrification of the local area to start me off on various rants but I will hold my counsel on that. As for parents concerned about the impact, there will be hardships no matter what decision is made.  
Parent


I think the idea of the expansion of the school is completely out of discussion, there's no space for other children, there would be a terrible noise and dust everywhere in the school, not a place where I would like my children to be.

I just hope that this crazy idea will soon be voted with a NO.
Parent


In regard to the expansion, if the primary issue is about providing places for children in the community it is important to address the fact that Princess Frederica sits within the larger Kensal Rise/ Kensal Green area, in which there are several primary schools and nurseries. Brent should be encouraging all of these local resources to work together to develop a comprehensive area wide response to the lack of school places. But instead we have been asked to propose solutions as if we are independent silos - a complete fallacy which will create a flawed result.
   Instead of 'going it alone' it would be fantastic if Princess Frederica was able to show leadership by reaching out to other schools and create a true 'community' solution. By all working together we could deliver more choice and opportunity for many more children and families in our area.
   For example, Kensal Rise Primary has been taken over by Ark Academy and has a new Head teacher starting in September (the school will be renamed: Ark Franklin Primary Academy. Full article:http://bit.ly/19FeebF). This development is likely to have a positive impact on their school and bring up standards in the next few years. The school currently does not fill all of it's places locally, so as it improves it will become more desirable to local parents thereby reducing some local pressure for school places.
   The special needs school, Manor House on Chamberlayne Road, is currently looking for new accommodation. Once they relocate the entire school building will become available for a new school in the Rise. This will create completely new school places.
   Further, Malorees (at 4+ times our size and with 2 independent buildings onsite - which could each be expanded without loosing any of their extensive grounds), should surely be required to expand before our already overcrowded school does so? This is no small point, and one that should be addressed as a larger community, perhaps via our Ward Councillors.
   Therefore, if expansion is really about providing opportunity for local children, then lets do so honestly and openly - and without self-imposed blinders. 
   In regard to the funding needs the schools has, it would be helpful to know what specifically is desired so that we can proactively work towards a solution regardless of the possible expansion. But, lets not confuse the two (community and funding), and not use the former, to disguise the desire for the latter. That is a disservice to us all.
   We all want the best education for the children. Inevitably, as parents, we worry about their learning environment, and frankly it is our job to do so, however, that does not mean if we object to the expansion we are we are looking at the situation selfishly, we just have an alternate point of view. Personally, I think that we can create a better solution for the community while allowing Princess Frederica to remain it's existing size. And based on the facts at hand that is a point of view I'll stand by. Parent




Please confirm whether or not we have a full representative governing body containing the correct amount of PARENT governors. I believe we are short and no vacancy has been advertised even though this was established at previous evening meetings. This is not acceptable when we have such a major decision affecting children at the school. This should have been immediately addressed.


Could you also confirm attendees at tomorrows governing meeting so we can establish there are enough to be core for such an important vote? If not then the vote cannot happen. Please advise details of apologies received.

I specifically asked if three form entry schools faired any better or worse in SATS tests than 2 form entry schools and indeed whether major disruption of building work was proved to affect results. Cannot see that this has been answered from the info provided on website. Please advise.

As a resident as well as a parent I am not convinced the issues of site management as well site safety have been properly outlined. It is not enough to suggest this will be eased by one way traffic. Detailed proposals are required to eliminate any concerns I have both as a parent in taking my children to school safetly but also not changing the environment of the road we live in to detrimental degree.

This meeting on Thursday has been rushed through by the governing body- why is that? There is no rush to make this decision surely? Please explain why VERY short notice to parents and in sharing new info received. This would seem to be coming from Brent? Am I right? Surely we should be dictating when we are happy to decide on going into consultation or not dependant on all being in place beforehand?
Parent - 

Please note, these comments are collated responses from our initial informal consultation. If you want to comment on the Statutory Consultation, please email expansion@princessfrederica.brent.sch.uk or complete the form distributed to parents and carers on Tuesday 2nd July, 2013.

I think this would be a wonderful opportunity for children, parents, teaching staff and the wider community on a whole. I had the opportunity as a parent governor, of being part of a Westminster primary schools expansion and the transformation and prospects for everyone involved and the wider community far out wayed the underlying disruptions for the year it took to demolish and rebuild the school. Children had a year of walking to Hyde park for extended playtime breaks and being taught in portocabins and extra curriculum activities of swimming and sports. Yes I would agree like anything of that scale there will be disruptions, but I believe by providing more places for admission to Princess Frederica would be so beneficial for both present and prospective students being able to enjoy the continuity and stability in such a well established and highly sort after school. The Westminster primary school to which I make reference is Hampton Guerney also benefits from additional facilities including residential apartments attached to the side of the school, an all weather playground and a dome shaped roof which can be uncovered in the summer months, yet benefits from all year round shelter.  Princess Frederica is ideally located for children to have alternative play areas during the refurbishment, such as Queens Park, Moberley Sports Centre and Willesden Sports Centre. Parent
At the same time as exploring options for Fred's what is being done to explore expanding capacity of other neighbouring schools? Specifically ** **, but also ** ** look like they have more space than Fred's. Obviously the challenges are different, but I feel it would be valid to explore.  Parent

We oppose the expansion of the school for the following reasons:
-    There will be more children in less space.
-    The school will be turned into a building site.
-    The children will suffer from the dust and fumes.
-    The noise will cause discomfort and disrupt the children's learning.
-    Their playground will be urbanised and lose its green space.
-    Even taller buildings will further dwarf the children in their perception of the environment.
-    The school already struggles with the numbers as they are.
-    The lunch rota will be even more stretched out so hungry children will have to wait longer before they can eat.
All these inconveniences will not be offset by the advantages you mention on your website. Parent


I'm worried that the school is not suitable for expansion. There is already over-crowding on the streets around the school especially on the bridge. With more numbers this access would be pushed to the limit and it is already a struggle to get to school with the existing number of children. The outside playground space is very limited as it is and with an increase in pupil number how will that work? This school was originally built for local community children and I think it should remain as such. Expansion would help improve the school's structural problems but may create other problems. Parent
One of the reasons the school would like to expand is to address the problem with oversubscription. At the moment many children who live on Purves Road and College Road cannot get into their local school. Expansion would help the school to serve the local community.



In addition to refurb of the existing school which I can see is a priority and one of the key benefits of expansion. What about bidding for the library on College Road for perhaps use by the nursery class. I appreciate that this is perhaps an issue for Brent Council as opposed to the school but wouldn't it be a good use of the space to house a nursery class there and be able to have facilities for a local library that could also be a resource for the school. I also would have far more confidence in the independently commissioned architects  than those of Brent Council. I am assuming that the school cannot be forced to use Brent Council architects/plans if it goes ahead with the proposed expansion? Parent



The bigger a school gets the more time & energy has to be invested in crowd management which creates more of a distance between staff and children. One of P F's main attributes is it's family atmosphere something especially small children thrive on. Facilities and infrastructure may be improved but further restricting the space would have an emotional impact on staff & children leaving less room for creativity. Events such as plays, musical concerts & school trips must become restricted in their scope. Realistically the pressure on P F's is due to it's recognition as the one of the 2 only good schools in the area. Over the past 10 years the area has become a new nappy valley something all the estate agents cash in on. Being a C of E school means that many people come through their attendance at church rather than their proximity...Such is the demand for places that proximity alone gives people a very small chance of getting into the school. I would argue investment in improving the other local schools ...*** & ***, bringing up their standards would be of more benefit to he whole community. *** & *** PS both have significantly more space, are 1 form entry & would be infinitely more suitable for expansion. Kensal Green is essentially a village....squeezing an urban mega school into it's midst is a travesty. Parent


I have been trying hard to see the positive aspects of the school expansion as my feeling from the meeting is that it will go ahead however I am struggling!
It was explained that although the governing body have obtained a certain amount of very valid information and possible plans the finer detail will not be looked into until an in principle decision has been made. However it was also stated that once on in principle decision has been made it is very unlikely that anything would change during the statutory consultation. I feel passionate that all of the details need to be worked through before making an in principle decision.
Just taking KS1 playground for example. I have often felt like crying that it barely gets any sunlight even in mid summer and if the expansion goes ahead it will in fill the only lower building with extra floors leaving NONE! Not to mention the size of it currently serving 120 children which in my opinion is already too small let alone adding 60 more children! Other people have made a very valid point that fairs which are already a crushed nightmare will be even worse threatening the school fundraising. The disruption during a huge build would not only be massively intrusive but who wants their child to be breathing in dust and fumes of a building site when we already live in polluted London. Access would be a nightmare, it already is! I truly do not believe the school site to be big enough to accommodate this expansion. Schools like ** who are sat on such a huge site should be made to expand. If this wonderfully Christian school want to service the community better then it should change the admissions to catchment rather that the ridiculous points system currently in place!
Parent



I share the ambition of the school to be as large a force for good in the community and would welcome innovation in re-modelling the school and its grounds to accommodate more children. If there is funding to go alongside imaginative design and architecture, then I support it.
My only concern is how to get the children into the school safely and in a manner that does blight residents of College and Purves Road. Many parents do drive to school out of necessity and this does need to be reflected in a wider and coherent plan for dropping off and collection.
Parent



I am strongly in favour of the proposed expansion of the school.
The school should be understanding of the needs of the local community and the Borough itself. There is significant pressure on all schools in the area due to over subscription and the simple fact that there are too many children and not enough school places. Princess Frederica should play its part in resolving this problem, not least because it is an opportunity for more children to have a "Princess Frederica" education. Provided that the expansion and an extra form can be managed without detriment to existing school children, surely this has to be a good thing? Why would we not want to be inclusive and allow more children this opportunity? If this opportunity is not taken then the school will have turned its back on providing more children with a good start in life through offering more school places.
In my view the opportunities far outweigh the challenges. I can understand the concerns that the school may lose a degree of intimacy by having three forms rather than two though and also the possible increase in traffic in College Road and Purves Road. It would be good to hear more from the school as to how they will deal with these two issues in particular. That said, on the whole I feel that rejecting this opportunity would be shortsighted and self serving. Parent




Access –
A zebra crossing on college Road which is due to happen will be a small step in the right direction but the following also need to be address:
Pavement width on Purves Road. Double buggy width would be a sensible minimum
Pavement width across College Road bridge. Double buggy width would be a sensible minimum.
Head of Governors reported that the school has ongoing discussions with Brent to improve the access around the school. The slow progress suggests that we need to ask for this work to be done first, before any building development. Their response could be seen as a measure of their commitment.
Class sizes – ( a point for negotiation)
3 x 30 pupils form entry = 90 pupils/Year (50% increase!)
3 x 25 pupils form entry = 75 pupils/Year (25% increase)
Consultation process- 
We need a debate with one or two advocates who are able to gather opinions and points that can be aired and compared.
Experts testimony could be a part of this. Perhaps invite representatives from schools that have lived with/through similar developments.
Disruptive building work - 
In order to assess disruption, it would be reasonable to expect a method statement from building contractor once appointed. At this preliminary stage we should ask the Borough to provide something.
Disruption and safety risks could be minimised by restricted hours of vehicle access, noisy works, and general site work but all of these may result in an extension to the duration of work on site.
Weekend work may not be accepted by local residents.
12-18 months has been mentioned but it easily be 24 months +.
Costs – 
What is the cost of the non-expansion work that the school requires?
How much of the £4.8M Brent figure is ringfenced for expansion and can any funds be legitimately used for works not specifically related to the expansion?
Funding of maintenance work -
It sounds like accepting the Brent proposal would be a good way, perhaps the only way, to fund essentail work. Thought tempting this is not a good enough reason for school expansion, which would need to have standalone benefits.
Are there other ways to increase Brents funding of the work that's needed WITHOUT expansion? For example, Increased funding share by Brent in return for increased influence over admissions. Parent






I don't think the school grounds are big enough to house a 3 form entry school. The playground and out door space is only big enough for a 2 form entry school. The school exists for and because of the pupils - they are the persons that should be served first and as a priority. Career development must come in other avenues. I would like the school to consider aiding Brent council provide places for children in acquiring a separate premises entirely, for an 'Early Years Foundation school' - housing nursery and reception classes and run a playgroup classes for 2 year olds. - Brent are also struggling to find places for 2 year olds. This would free up classes for Years 1, 2, and 3. - Which would house the population bulge. Make the existing school partly 3 form entry, and be the first in the borough to have Early years foundation school - (a bit like the old infants school of the 70's). I myself would be very interested in supporting this idea as a former primary school teacher and present Early Years provider. Parent



I am very much in favour of the expansion.  I have the same concerns as most parents about access issues and lack of space but I am more concerned about the number of children without a primary school place.  I have two, hopefully soon to be three children in the school and feel incredibly privileged that my children are able to have such a great education.  Many are saying the money would be better spent on improving other schools which are not doing so well.  That would be great but that is not the money being offered and is also a much more long term view and possibly overly idealistic. Some of these schools have been failing for decades.  The money is for expansion only and if my child was without a school place I know I would love them to be able to get into Princess Frederica.  This is not an easy school to get a place at, as we all know, as it is such a good school.  Why not share that with other members of the local community. some of whom live right next to the school and can't get a place?
 Parent 





As much as I think it is the responsibility of the community to be concerned and to assist where possible with the shortage of school places for children in the borough, I sadly do not think that Princess Frederica has the room to consider an expansion proposal.  Access is already difficult, playground space is restricted, the roads around the school are problematic.  Why has Brent not considered utilising the library across the road that it has insisted on closing and selling off?  Would this not make an excellent option for Nursery and maybe the school library?  Although, admittedly, I am not sure if there would be any suitable outside space there.  This would then allow room at the school site to take on an additional Reception class which would move up through the school years, adding an extra 30 pupils to the school, which is more manageable within the restricted space. Parent

The expansion plans concern me greatly due to the concept of a 3 form entry on a site which already seems at capacity. The outside space is already limited with no expansion on ground level possible for this. The school is a local school with the associated feel of an intimate community school. Expansion will change this. 
As this is a community school the decision to expand would affect the entire community greatly and as such I feel a vote on the decision should be made public. Parent




The prospect of there being funds available to Princess Frederica to not just expand the school but to be able to use some of that money towards modernisation and repairs of the old building is very good news. 

We are all in agreement that the school is a very good one and that it has many qualities that other schools can only try to strive towards. Of course it would be nice to keep the school exactly as it is - a lovely little cute old fashioned school. 

But it will not stand the test of time, like everything, the school needs to move on and modernise otherwise in years to come the school will close, despite the being loved within the community, it will not be considered a viable option. I have just delivered flowers this morning to yet another converted Victorian school. The school building will become fancy flats and the neighbouring schools will be expanded into super schools.  You only need to look at Kensal Rise Library to see a wasted opportunity.

There will be changes and in order to preserve the future of the school, we need to back the headship team, the teachers and the governing body to ensure that we not only grab the opportunity but use it to ensure the future of Princess Frederica School - to open it to more children and pull the local community together.

As soon as you walk into the school you can immediately see the building is in urgent need of repair and redecoration, there is no doubt in my mind that as an aging school building with an endless todo list, it must be a continuous worry to the headship team.  

As a parent I am delighted that my daughter has a much sought after place at Princess Frederica, but I have not forgotten the anguish of wondering if she would even get a place at all at any school!  When she left her nursery at College Green, she also left behind many good friends that should have managed to find a school place locally.  Indeed her own cousin had to do her reception year in College Green Nursery. It does not feel right that local children are without school places, or having to travel to other schools away from their immediate neighbourhood. 

I have lived in Kensal Green for 34 years and the local community is very important to me and I feel that the school is a very central part of the community.I think the possibility of investment into the school should be considered not only for now but for the future of the area. All children deserve a good education it is important for them but also for the area.   

If the project does not go ahead it will be a great opportunity lost and will be demoralising for the teachers and headship team, all of whom deserve the opportunity to work in a better environment and to enjoy the job opportunities that a larger school would present.  Any day during school holidays there is absolutely no traffic issues on College or Purves Road or the surrounding areas.  

At the meeting it was continually mentioned that traffic and parking at the shops needed to be controlled and that there should be traffic measures in place .  I am sorry but I don’t agree the only thing that will make a difference is if parents do not drive to the school.  If they are local why are they driving anyway?? If it’s because they have to go on to work well than perhaps the solution is to bring the children in earlier to breakfast club. 

Surely other parents must notice the school is in desperate need of remedial works.  Surely they must have noticed whilst at the Christmas play the cracks around the window and ceiling in the hall not to mention all the other things? A crumbling school with a disheartened teacher and headship team would surely affect the school to the core more than an extra class. 

Surely bigger brighter classrooms and hall would be more inspiring and healthier for the children. But whatever you do please try to build on the existing building space, try to not use up ground floor playground space as you already know how important that is to children. They need to be able to run around and play properly in break times.  If you are able to add space than it would be even better. I fully support the expansion of the school