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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Tory secondary school policies don’t add up - Eady
October 7, 2011 11:52 AM
• [Sep 30] Lib Dem education spokesperson Cllr Malcolm Eady writes: "IF the recent steady improvement of our secondary schools continues to attract higher numbers, we will be short of 170 places in each school year by 2016, equivalent to about 28 new classrooms.
"At the same time, the secondary school governors are currently being advised of Conservative plans for sixth forms. A very successful secondary school would need a stand-alone sixth form of at least 200 students. If an average post-16 class size is 15, then 13 new classrooms would be needed per school, occupying a significant amount of land.
"At the last Council meeting the message was that the Council no longer thought it needed a new secondary school to meet the increase in student numbers, but that this could be met by the existing schools and/or the opening of a 'free' school. As suitable land for a new school is in very short supply, it is unlikely that a new 'free' school will be feasible.
"Only a few of our secondary schools have extensive grounds, and these are often constrained by strict planning policies. Therefore if the Council wishes to provide enough secondary school places to meet the demand, and if it still wants sixth forms in our schools, then it will need the Clifden Road site for a community school. What parents and young people do not want are temporary buildings on playgrounds and sports pitches."
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