LOCAL MP OUTRAGED AS EDUCATION SECRETARY LEAVES PARENTS AND PUPILS IN FURTHER LIMBO OVER CONSETT ACADEMY

Consett Academy Artists Impression 

Pat Glass MP was in the chamber today when Education Secretary Rt Hon Michael Gove announced that he is axing the Building Schools for the Future fund introduced under the previous Labour government.

 

The Education Secretary confirmed that he has still not made a decision on whether or not the funding for Consett Academy, which was due to be funded by BSF, will go ahead. One-hundred and twenty- three academy schemes are to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, including the one at Consett.

 

This information was dragged from the Education Secretary in an extraordinary debate as he refused to name the projects which were being cancelled and distributed a list of these projects to the media before a copy was placed in the library for Members.

 

The statement lasted for a prolonged period as Members of Parliament were forced to ask one- by -one about the schools in their constituencies.

 

Pat Glass MP said:

"I have written repeatedly to the Secretary of State on this crucial issue and have yet to receive a definitive reply. I am utterly appalled by his decision to prolong the waiting of teachers, parents and pupils in my constituency, leaving them all in yet more limbo. "

 

"After weeks of uncertainty about the project the Education Secretary says that he is reviewing it again, it is a total disgrace.  Time is of the essence as the schools concerned will soon begin merging. I will be pressing the Secretary of State for a meeting to make it clear that this academy must be delivered for the sake of the children in my constituency and that he must make a quick decision. "

 

"The children and young people of Consett and their families need and want these new schools. I am determined that this academy will not meet the same sad demise as plans to rebuild schools in the rest of the country.  I hope that local Liberal Democrats will join me in fighting this by petitioning their government. "

 

 The Building Schools for the future project was the biggest single government investment in improving school buildings in a generation, rebuilding or renewing every secondary school in England.