A new intermediate school sits at the top of the education wish list for Queenstown residents responding to a survey.
The creation of a school solely for years 7-8 pupils and the limiting of existing primary schools to years 1-6 is the most popular option of respondents to a recent Ministry of Education survey.
Nearly 650 people responded to the online survey, conducted in June and July.
The ideas forming the basis of the survey were generated at six workshops held in the resort in June.
About 100 people attended.
The workshops, run by ministry-contracted facilitator Gabrielle Wall, were the first stage of a consultation process for developing a new plan for primary and secondary schooling in the area.
Dr Wall’s summary of survey findings also found that building at least one new primary school was the second most preferred option.
For secondary schooling, expanding Wakatipu High School at its new Frankton campus was the most preferred option, with a roll of 1200-1300 considered the maximum preferred size.
Another round of community consultation is planned to start next month, with the ministry aiming to complete the new plan by the middle of next year.
It is also working with schools on their short and medium term needs with the aim of developing a master plan for each to ensure it can continue accommodating pupils in the area.
Total pupil numbers at the Wakatipu Basin’s eight schools have risen more than 40% in the past seven years, from about 2000 in 2009 to more than 2800 last year.
