Amersham school applies for new property to meet ‘unprecedented demand’ for childcare

The proposal would see an additional outbuilding constructed at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in School Lane, Amersham, to create a dedicated wraparound childcare hub for pupils before and after school.

If approved, the single-storey building would sit on the rear playing field north of the main school and measure around 12.7 metres by 4.7 metres. School leaders say the project is needed amid demand from more than 70 families for wraparound childcare.

In planning documents lodged with Buckinghamshire Council, applicants said the facility would provide a “secure and purpose-built environment” for existing pupils needing extra childcare support outside normal school hours.

The application states: “By providing this on-site, the school will enable parents to maintain consistent employment and providing the pupils with a familiar, safe and nurturing extension of their school day.”

Despite the site sitting within the Metropolitan Green Belt, planning documents argue the development would cause only very limited harm because it would remain within the school’s existing grounds rather than spreading into open countryside.

The application added: “The outbuilding will be located wholly within the established curtilage of the school and within an area that already forms part of the developed school site.

“The development will not result in the loss of open countryside nor represent encroachment into the wider rural landscape.”

In a supporting letter, school business manager Helen Annicchiarico, said: “The proposed development is essential to address the critical demand for reliable, high quality after school provision within our school community.

“We are currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for wraparound care, with a verified list of over 70 families. This has been requested by Buckinghamshire Council to develop wraparound childcare places, and we have been awarded a grant to undertake this project.

“The unmet demand places significant pressure on working parents and creates a barrier to accessibility for families relying on the school for essential childcare.

“This outbuilding will provide a dedicated, secure and purpose-built environment for 70 students, directly alleviating this pressure. By providing this on site, we are enabling parents to maintain consistent employment and providing our students with a familiar, safe and nurturing extension of their school day.”

She said the outbuilding would respect the existing school building adding that the exterior matches the existing building that we have on the site.

“The provision will operate between the hours of 8am-8:40am and 3:20pm-6pm, Monday to Friday,” she added.