The six Conservative councillors representing Haydon Wick and Abbey Meads wards have been working hard for a year to get the Education Partnership Board (EPB) and the Local Education Authority (LEA) to agree to provide additional primary school places in the new build area of North Swindon.
At yesterdays meeting of the EPB, it was agreed that an additional 27 places will be provided at Bridlewood Primary School for the September 2005 intake.
The Governing Body of the school argued against this proposal but a parent representing 70 families and Cllr Owen Lister (Abbey Meads) spoke passionately in favour of the proposal. The EPB saw the need for these places and overruled the Governing Body.
There was a shortage of 75 primary school places in the Abbey Meads, Catherine Wayte and Bridlewood schools for the September 2005 admissions prior to this decision. This development has eased the problem somewhat.
Cllr Justin Tomlinson (Abbey Meads) comments These additional places will be welcomed by parents in North Swindon as it means that many more children can be educated within their local community. As Conservatives, we believe that parents should be able to send their children to the school they want and we have been able to extend that choice.
Cllr David Renard (Haydon Wick) added I have spent many hours over the last year fighting to get these places for the parents and children of North Swindon so I am delighted with this result.