Progressing future education for romsey area students

An independent report and local consultation has found that a junior secondary school is not in the best interests of the Romsey community given projected population growth and local demand.

Given local interest in a P-9 model was limited to a small number of students, the report found that expanding Romsey Primary School would result in a restricted secondary curriculum offering with limited subject choice.

Romsey Primary School will now proceed with the $3.2 million upgrade, funded in the Victorian Budget 2018/19, to ensure local students have access to first-rate classrooms and facilities.

The Department of Education and Training will also work closely with Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton Secondary College to help children successfully transition to secondary education, as well as improving transport access to help students in Romsey, Lancefield, Newham, Bolinda, Clarkefield and surrounds get to school.

The independent report analysed a 2013 feasibility study, as well as demographic data and the results of community consultation in Romsey in late 2018 and found there was not sufficient demand for a junior secondary school.

The analysis found under a best-case scenario, less than 200 young people may consider attending years 7-9 at a government school in Romsey, but not all of them would choose to attend the new school. This means there would likely only be two classes per year level – significantly restricting the curriculum and pathways offered to students.

The Department of Education and Training will continue to monitor demographics in the Romsey region to ensure the provision of primary and secondary education keeps up with local enrolment growth and population pressures.

A taskforce will also be established to strengthen the transition processes from Romsey area primary schools to both Kyneton and Gisborne Secondary Colleges, and to improve student access.

Under the Labor Government’s school building boom, 100 new schools will open over the next eight years, ensuring every child has a great local school and a great start in life. The Labor Government has invested $5.6 billion in delivering more than 1,400 school upgrades and supporting almost 5,000 construction jobs.

You can read more about what we heard from the community consultation here.

Minister for Education James Merlino

"This independent report is an important piece of work for the future of education in the Romsey community. Romsey Primary School can now move forward with the $3.2 million upgrade to provide a 21st century education."

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

"Romsey Primary School is a great school with a bright future. These upgrades will ensure that our students have quality facilities to match the excellent teaching."

Romsey Primary School Principal Loren Peavey

"The Romsey Primary School community is very excited to move ahead with upgrades that will secure the best learning environment for our students."