Ministers have approved plans to expand a Malmesbury primary school despite concerns about 'significant impacts' on nearby areas.
Ministers have approved plans to expand a Malmesbury primary school despite concerns about 'significant impacts' on nearby areas.
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The Education Secretary has approved Sir James Dyson's controversial £6 million donation to a Wiltshire school, despite warnings it could have a “serious impact” on the viability of the surrounding environment.
Gillian Keegan today announced that the Dyson Foundation has approved a donation to Malmesbury Primary School. The money will be used to establish “a first-class Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) center.”
“We welcome the Dyson Foundation’s generous gift, which will support cutting-edge education for local students and help train the scientists and engineers of tomorrow,” she said.
The decision was referred to ministers by the Ministry's regional directors.
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Dyson, famous for its range of vacuum cleaners and other home appliances, is headquartered in the Wiltshire town.
But the proposed donation has raised concerns about the impact on other schools at a time when attendance at primary schools is falling.
Laura Mayes, Wiltshire's cabinet member for children's services, told local media: “There are already enough places in the three local schools to meet the expected demand.”
“We have raised concerns that potentially 210 additional places at Malmesbury Primary School could have a significant impact on neighboring schools, reducing student numbers and putting their future sustainability at risk.”
times It was reported last October that education authorities had initially blocked the billionaire's donation, which Dyson wrote in the newspaper was “a tragic example of how politicians' actions do not match their rhetoric.”
Downing Street denied at the time that donations had been blocked.
New center could open in 2027
Malmesbury Primary School has a capacity of 525 and has 481 pupils, according to the latest government records.
The DfE said the expansion would see “additional classrooms and purpose-built classrooms equipped for design, technology, arts, science and maths-based activities”.
If planning permission from Wiltshire Council is approved, the new center is expected to open its doors to students in September 2027.
Keegan said the center would “provide world-class facilities for students from Malmesbury and the surrounding area to inspire them and develop the skills they need to compete on the world stage”.
“The £6 million donation builds on the work we have been doing to promote the uptake of STEM subjects in schools and promote growth and opportunity in this important sector through apprenticeships and further education.”