£20m academy plan is thrown into chaos (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton's £20m academy plan is thrown into chaos
6:40pm Tuesday 13th July 2010 in Education
£20m academy plan is thrown into chaos
IT has been hailed as the future of secondary education for hundreds of children in a Southampton community.
But £20m plans to create a new state-of-the-art academy for Lord’s Hill have been thrown in to turmoil amid savage Government funding cuts.
Now Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead has thrown his weight behind a Daily Echo campaign to secure the Best Deal for Our Schools.
We want to make sure our learning establishments receive the funding they deserve when and if cash is made available by the Government.
It comes after the new Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition scrapped plans to plough £200m into rebuilding several schools in the Southampton area.
Separate £35m plans to overhaul Oasis Academies Lord’s Hill and Mayfield were also thrown in to jeopardy with Tory Schools Secretary Michael Gove pledging only to look at the projects on a “case by case basis”.
The funding cuts were instantly branded a “betrayal” of children amid fears it could damage the education system in the city for decades to come.
Dr Whitehead says it is now “vital” the Lord’s Hill scheme is completed claiming the current temporary situation is “not satisfactory”.
The school has major ambitions to relocate to a new site, possibly on playing grounds at Five Acres, next to The Cedar School, by September 2012.
“It is clear that the new unified building for Oasis Lord’s Hill is absolutely vital – not just for the school itself, but for the community in Southampton that it serves.
“It clearly has to be one of the priorities. I will always fight for the schools that have been robbed of their plans. Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill is one where the consequences of (any cut backs) would be particularly difficult to contemplate.
“At the moment the school is on two sites more than a mile away from each other. The whole development is based on the idea that it should have one site unifying the new school.
“If it continues on two sites it will be detrimental to the progress we would expect the school to make.
“This can only be a temporary arrangement as it is potentially disruptive and requires an enormous amount of organisation to resolve.
“It means that in terms of developing the school to its full potential, you are running up hill all the time.”
The school opened its doors for the first time in 2008 after Oaklands and Millbrook schools were merged as part of a review of secondary education in the city.
As previously reported, staff and students, who have been using both sites, are set to merge onto one site two years early amid falling pupil numbers.
From September, 750 pupils will be taught at the former Oaklands School site in Fairlisle Road.
At the time, Principal Ian Golding said there were currently fewer children of secondary school age – a factor which had been predicted before the academy opened.
Last year, pupils at the school achieved a 26 per cent pass rate for five A* to C grades including English and maths.
That is 23 per cent below the national average, but school bosses and the city’s education chiefs believe that new multimillion pound facilities will give teachers, pupils and their parents the impetus of a fresh start to push for greater success – and improved results.
They had hoped that the new future was just round the corner with construction work starting in January and be ready to use by September 2012.
That may now be in jeopardy as the Government looks to slash expenditure to tackle the country’s huge debt.
The only promise is that funding for Academy redevelopments will be open “for discussion”.
Academy bosses are so concerned about the situation that they preferred not to discuss the impact of the Government’s spending cutbacks.
But last week, Southampton City Council and Oasis Community Learning – the Christian charity which has run the city’s two academies since they opened in 2008 – said they wanted urgent contact with the Government to discuss the future of the schemes.
The council’s Cabinet member for children’s services and learning remains confident the scheme will get the go-ahead – and is ready to fight the city’s corner.
Paul Holmes said: “We are ready to fight their case. These projects are extremely far advanced with plans for Oasis Academy Mayfield due to be considered by Planning within days and design work for Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill almost complete.
“I am confident that we can still deliver these schools and will be pursuing this with the Government as a matter of urgency.”
Labour Party leadership hopefuls Ed and David Miliband, Ed Balls, Diane Abbott and Andy Burnham have all backed our campaign to ensure South-ampton gets its fair share of any cash made available for school building projects. Five schools were to be completely rebuilt or remodelled in a first wave of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.
Bitterne Park School, Chamberlayne College for the Arts, St George Catholic College, the Sholing Technology College and Upper Shirley High School were all counting on funds.
Cantell Maths and Computing College, Redbridge Community School and Woodlands School would have received new IT facilities.
And two more secondaries as well as four special schools could have been rebuilt in a second wave of funding.
Comments(16)
Condor Man
says...
7:05pm Tue 13 Jul 10
The Edge of Reason
says...
7:08pm Tue 13 Jul 10
“I am confident that we can still deliver these schools and will be pursuing this with the Government as a matter of urgency.”
Is this the same Paul Holmes who said (the day before the announcement that the building programme would be shelved) And I quote,
"I am confident the secretary of state will not shelve the plans for Southampton schools"
I have to say I do not share your confidence Mr Holmes, where are getting the money from Paul?
The Edge of Reason
says...
7:11pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:Hypocrisy?
massive hypocrisy from Whitehead, 2 years ago he was backing a rival bid from his lefty cronies at the University to take over the schools Oasis got. Now he's backing them. Seems that a spell in opposition has lead this somewhat previously anonymous MP to spark into life.
I see it's all quiet on the Royston front, only last year he was tearing John Denham apart for allowing the LSC to cancel the contract for Itchen.
Why isn't he up in arms now Condor Man? please enlighten me
Linesman
says...
7:16pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Atpost wrote:'THAT ROMSEY HOAR'?
Blah blah blah POLITICS Blah blah blah DOGS OFF THE LEAD Blah blah blah EUROPE Blah blah blah BLAIR Blah blah blah THATCHER Blah blah blah THAT ROMSEY HOAR
Elucidate
Atpost
says...
7:20pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Linesman wrote:Join the Q
Atpost wrote: Blah blah blah POLITICS Blah blah blah DOGS OFF THE LEAD Blah blah blah EUROPE Blah blah blah BLAIR Blah blah blah THATCHER Blah blah blah THAT ROMSEY HOAR'THAT ROMSEY HOAR'? Elucidate
Iw61
says...
8:45pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Didnt PB push Oasis, as its a born again christian, fundamentalist School?
SholingBoy
says...
9:48pm Tue 13 Jul 10
The Watcher
says...
10:08pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:It would appear that you find it impossible to put loyalty to the cause of your City ahead of loyalty to your Party, a trait which you share with many shallow and narrow minded politicians (of all persuasions).
massive hypocrisy from Whitehead, 2 years ago he was backing a rival bid from his lefty cronies at the University to take over the schools Oasis got. Now he's backing them. Seems that a spell in opposition has lead this somewhat previously anonymous MP to spark into life.
At times like these the ability to fight for the right cause which will impact on generations of the City's children is far more noble than political point scoring and cheap shots.
bloke from bitterene park
says...
10:38pm Tue 13 Jul 10
Condor Man
says...
12:10am Wed 14 Jul 10
The Watcher wrote:To be honest I'll probably have to start saving now even to send my kids to somewhere like St Marys College or The Greggs because the state schools simply aren't up to scratch. Regardless of the party in charge the schools locally have been poor for generations because there's no academic tradition in the remaining secondary schools.
Condor Man wrote: massive hypocrisy from Whitehead, 2 years ago he was backing a rival bid from his lefty cronies at the University to take over the schools Oasis got. Now he's backing them. Seems that a spell in opposition has lead this somewhat previously anonymous MP to spark into life.It would appear that you find it impossible to put loyalty to the cause of your City ahead of loyalty to your Party, a trait which you share with many shallow and narrow minded politicians (of all persuasions). At times like these the ability to fight for the right cause which will impact on generations of the City's children is far more noble than political point scoring and cheap shots.
rjm
says...
12:13am Wed 14 Jul 10
Spot O'Bother
says...
7:50am Wed 14 Jul 10
There is no money.
The Edge of Reason
says...
8:36am Wed 14 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:Hypocrisy?
The Watcher wrote:To be honest I'll probably have to start saving now even to send my kids to somewhere like St Marys College or The Greggs because the state schools simply aren't up to scratch. Regardless of the party in charge the schools locally have been poor for generations because there's no academic tradition in the remaining secondary schools.
Condor Man wrote: massive hypocrisy from Whitehead, 2 years ago he was backing a rival bid from his lefty cronies at the University to take over the schools Oasis got. Now he's backing them. Seems that a spell in opposition has lead this somewhat previously anonymous MP to spark into life.It would appear that you find it impossible to put loyalty to the cause of your City ahead of loyalty to your Party, a trait which you share with many shallow and narrow minded politicians (of all persuasions). At times like these the ability to fight for the right cause which will impact on generations of the City's children is far more noble than political point scoring and cheap shots.
Why isn't Royston up in arms over this decision like he was over Itchen college, I seem to remember him blaming John Denham for stopping the college being moved to Eastpoint, come on Condor Man, why isn't he up in arms?
Glad you can afford to send your children to schools and colleges you mention and good luck to them I honestly hope they do well, what about those parents who can not afford to do it? Do those children not deserve the same opportunity?
Didn't David Cameron say yesterday he is dreading trying to find a state school to send his children too, because of the poor state school's.
What you up to Condor Man playing follow my leader?
I believe that every child has the right to a good education, whatever the cost to the public purse, every child should have the right to attend college of their choice (if gifted enough) regardless of whether their parents can afford it, every child has the right to attend university if they are academically gifted, regardless of expense (we shouldn't make them pay the debts back) the state should pay for these children regardless of the price.
Children are the future of this country, they are the businessmen/women, they are the employers/workers the doctors nurses, we should invest in that future regardless of costs to the taxpayer.
We need to support our young people, this programme of work would have gone ahead if the we had the same government as before, but with this Tory led coalition it's a case the rich get what they want and the poor get p*ss all.
For those of you who say it's about teachers not about buildings, I ask you this.
Would you want to spend 6/7 hours a day, 5 days a week working in buildings that are at best dilapidated and at worst condemned to rubble, well in some cases that is what happens to our children in this city/country when they go to school and they don't have a right not to go, unlike us workers, who have rights not to go or change jobs.
DCM
says...
9:10am Wed 14 Jul 10
The Edge of Reason wrote:This article is about the Oasis Academy setting up a new site - as far as I understand it there is nothing wrong with the existing buildings, they just want to build a site with them all together. It's hardly a number one priority is it?
Condor Man wrote:Hypocrisy? Why isn't Royston up in arms over this decision like he was over Itchen college, I seem to remember him blaming John Denham for stopping the college being moved to Eastpoint, come on Condor Man, why isn't he up in arms? Glad you can afford to send your children to schools and colleges you mention and good luck to them I honestly hope they do well, what about those parents who can not afford to do it? Do those children not deserve the same opportunity? Didn't David Cameron say yesterday he is dreading trying to find a state school to send his children too, because of the poor state school's. What you up to Condor Man playing follow my leader? I believe that every child has the right to a good education, whatever the cost to the public purse, every child should have the right to attend college of their choice (if gifted enough) regardless of whether their parents can afford it, every child has the right to attend university if they are academically gifted, regardless of expense (we shouldn't make them pay the debts back) the state should pay for these children regardless of the price. Children are the future of this country, they are the businessmen/women, they are the employers/workers the doctors nurses, we should invest in that future regardless of costs to the taxpayer. We need to support our young people, this programme of work would have gone ahead if the we had the same government as before, but with this Tory led coalition it's a case the rich get what they want and the poor get p*ss all. For those of you who say it's about teachers not about buildings, I ask you this. Would you want to spend 6/7 hours a day, 5 days a week working in buildings that are at best dilapidated and at worst condemned to rubble, well in some cases that is what happens to our children in this city/country when they go to school and they don't have a right not to go, unlike us workers, who have rights not to go or change jobs.The Watcher wrote:To be honest I'll probably have to start saving now even to send my kids to somewhere like St Marys College or The Greggs because the state schools simply aren't up to scratch. Regardless of the party in charge the schools locally have been poor for generations because there's no academic tradition in the remaining secondary schools.Condor Man wrote: massive hypocrisy from Whitehead, 2 years ago he was backing a rival bid from his lefty cronies at the University to take over the schools Oasis got. Now he's backing them. Seems that a spell in opposition has lead this somewhat previously anonymous MP to spark into life.It would appear that you find it impossible to put loyalty to the cause of your City ahead of loyalty to your Party, a trait which you share with many shallow and narrow minded politicians (of all persuasions). At times like these the ability to fight for the right cause which will impact on generations of the City's children is far more noble than political point scoring and cheap shots.
As for making teachers work in condemned buildings - I think you exagerate somewhat.
By the way, I totally agree with you regarding the importance of education. I think it's a national disgrace that our schools and education system has been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair - by politicians of all parties.
housewife
says...
10:31am Wed 14 Jul 10
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£18 million of OUR money was spent on Millbrook less than ten years ago.
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It has perfectly good buildings and grounds, large enough to hold all the kids who are not playing truant.
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Oaklands will make an excellent community centre.
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IF the new build goes ahead, paid for with OUR money, more of OUR money will be spent looking after the two unused buildings.
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OASIS are not paying. WE are.
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Utter waste. Hope it gets cancelled.
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PFI fat cats do not deserve our taxes.
Atpost says...
6:48pm Tue 13 Jul 10
POLITICS
Blah blah blah
DOGS OFF THE LEAD
Blah blah blah
EUROPE
Blah blah blah
BLAIR
Blah blah blah
THATCHER
Blah blah blah
THAT ROMSEY HOAR