Gloucestershire County Council has approved a significant investment of over £7.8 million to expand school capacity at two key sites, creating more than 380 additional places for students. The funding will support improvements at Severnbanks Primary School in Lydney and Henley Bank High School in Brockworth, addressing growing demand in these communities.
Severnbanks Primary School will receive approximately £5.16 million, combining £3.18 million from developer contributions and £1.98 million in government grants. This funding will enable the construction of six new classrooms, expanded catering facilities, and an enlarged administration area. The school’s capacity will increase by one form of entry, adding 210 primary school places, alongside 27 additional early years spots.
Henley Bank High School will benefit from over £2.6 million in developer funding to enhance its post-16 facilities and create 150 new places for students aged 11 to 16. The project includes a two-storey teaching block featuring a dedicated sixth form study area, kitchen, servery, and six classrooms. Planning permission was granted in October of the previous year, with construction slated to begin by autumn 2025 and completion targeted for the summer term of 2026.
READ MORE: Fly-tipping Blights Parks, Country Lanes, and Housing Estates in South Gloucestershire: Councillors Demand Law Change
READ MORE: A417 to Close Over Three Summer Weekends for New Roundabout Construction
Linda Cohen, Gloucestershire’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, highlighted the council’s proactive approach: “Growth in the communities of Lydney and Brockworth means more families and more children needing local school places. Rather than wait, we are acting now to ensure every child has access to a good school nearby.”
Cohen emphasized that these projects are funded primarily through developer contributions and government grants — not from public funds. The Severnbanks expansion will be ready by 2028, aligning with projected demand, and the efforts at Henley Bank will provide much-needed secondary and sixth form capacity close to home.
“We’re building schools alongside homes — ensuring not only housing but the vital facilities families need to thrive,” Cohen concluded, underscoring the council’s commitment to strategic planning and community investment.