Proposal to begin preparations for a new school
The population of Vallar in Hafnarfjörður has grown considerably in recent years. There has been extensive development in the area, and Hraunvallar School, the only school in the area, has become one of the largest in the country.
Large year groups call for adaptation and development in the area.
A working group on school matters in Vogar, appointed by the Hafnarfjörður Education Council at the end of August, has submitted its recommendations to the council. The task of the working group was to assess the accommodation needs of the nursery and primary schools and to formulate proposals for the future arrangement of school operations in a rapidly growing area of Vogar. The working group has now proposed that the accommodation issue for Hraunvallar School be resolved by using the portable classrooms currently used by the nursery school.
The main idea is to move almost the entire secondary school department into portable classrooms at Fléttuvellir. Such a move would provide better facilities for the after-school club and for social activities within the school. In parallel, the group is emphasising that preparations for a new nursery and primary school in the area should be accelerated, and that the design process should be launched early in the new year. It is hoped that the first phase of the new school in Skarðshlíð will be ready for use in autumn 2017. The Education Committee welcomed the proposals and referred them to staff and the Hraunvallaskóli school board for comment.
Population growth and major development in Völlunum
The population of Völlar in Hafnarfjörður has grown significantly in recent years. There has been extensive development in the area, and Hraunvallaskóli, the only school in the area, has become one of the largest in the country. Over 800 children are enrolled at the school, 910 in total if the nursery school is included. The nursery operates under the same roof as the primary school, and it has now reached a point where population growth and large year groups moving between school stages require an adjustment to the changed environment and circumstances. Hraunvallar School began operations in the autumn of 2005 in temporary premises at Ásvellir in Hafnarfjörður with around 90 pupils in Years 1–4. The first phase of the school's current building at Drekavellir 9 was completed in the autumn of 2006. That same year, the nursery school began its operations with around 100 pupils in four classes. The third and final phase of the school building was handed over in 2008, by which time 480 pupils were enrolled. Today, the school is at capacity with just over 800 pupils.