JERICHO ECHO ARTICLE
December 1996
This is partly to offer the school a more coherent expansion plan. But it should also provide the children with a much better playground. St Barnabas First School needs to replace the two existing temporary classrooms next to the present playground with more permanent structures. Head Teacher Hilary Hiorns says: "We hope to have funding for new classrooms in the near future and are looking for ways of improving the school and its site - offering a better layout and making it more secure." Using the playground area would permit the construction of new classroom buildings around a central courtyard. If the school gets funds for the immediate construction of the new classrooms then the money would probably be available from February 1997. Currently there are also proposals to reorganize the school system in Oxfordshire and if this happened it would almost certainly mean further expansion for St Barnabas - which makes it all the more important to establish a coherent layout at this stage. Such a move would also offer a safer location for the playground for younger children. At present it is tucked away out of sight so if there are any problems with older children, or adults, it is difficult to spot what is going on. The new location would be much more public. The City Council also says that it will take the opportunity to replace the rather rusty and dilapidated playground equipment. "This would provide a wonderful new play area for younger children in Jericho", says Hilary Hiorns, "in addition to the school field which is open for community use after school and at the weekends." The entrance to the playground would be in Hart Street (there is more traffic in Great Clarendon Street). There would also be benches for adults. City councillor Susanna Pressel says that she hopes the community in Jericho will support the proposal, but she and the other school governors want to make sure there is the fullest possible consultation with parents and other residents before these ideas are taken any further. If you have any comments or suggestions you should contact Hilary Hiorns at the school as soon as possible