Call for consultation on new Twickenham secondary school (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Call for consultation on new Twickenham secondary school

September 17, 2011 10:24 AM

• [Sep 16]: RICHMOND'S Liberal Democrats have called on the council to consult parents and the public on what type of new secondary school should be provided on the Clifden Road site in Twickenham.

Cllr Stephen Knight, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council, said: "The Council's plan to offer the Clifden Road site in Twickenham to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for a new Catholic secondary school is proving to be extremely divisive amongst parents along sectarian lines. Local taxpayers have contributed a very large sum to the purchase of this site and the proposal to hand over the site to the Catholic Church is provoking strong feelings both for and against.

If the council is to avoid this issue causing serious damage to community relations, then it must ensure that both sides can put their case in a full and open consultation with parents and the public, followed by a transparent and open decision making process to determine what type of school should be provided. We are extremely concerned that the Conservative administration seems to have no plans to consult parents or the wider public on this issue and seem to consider the decision to have already been made, despite no vote having been taken by a council or cabinet meeting."

• The Inclusive Schools Petition: the Liberal Democrat response [Sept 13]

• The School Places Page

• Crowds of children chant and wave banners outside Catholic school debate in York House, Twickenham [RTT Sep 17]