Local Conservatives Attend Public
Meeting On Secondary School
Local Conservatives from both the Abbey Meads ward and Haydon Wick ward attended the public meeting at the Abbey Meads Primary School.
Local education officers outlined the current position and then opened up the meeting for a question and answer session with local residents and Councillors.
The current situation is that the School Organisation Board is looking at which year the new Secondary School will come online. The School Organisation Board is an independant body, appointed to oversee changes in Swindon's education.
As Councillors we do not make the decision on the opening of the school, HOWEVER, we have made formal recommendations that this school MUST be opened at the earliest opportunity. North Swindon needs this school, it is unacceptable that parents are having to take their children outside of Swindon to give their children the education they want and deserve.
Ultimately the School Organisation Board will consider the financial implications of its decision. At present, Swindon is the 4th WORST funded local authorityfor education. Our school children are 500 worse off per pupil than the average local authority. Chronic under funding from the Labour Government is tieing the hands of the School Organisation Board.
It is time our children had a fair deal from the Labour Government, it is unacceptable that we are the 4th worst funded - no wonder our Secondary School has faced delay after delay.
As your local Councillors we will press for an early opening at every opportunity, and if the Council can do anything to help this process, we will make sure it does.