WALTHAM FOREST: New hope for school investment (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: New hope for school investment

11:45am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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A GOVERNMENT official is to visit Waltham Forest to meet headteachers and assess the impact of a decision to axe millions of pounds worth of investment in school improvements.

And schools most in need may still get cash to improve facilities, it has emerged.

An estimated 12,000 children in the borough will be affected by cancellation of £263 million worth of building and refurbishment projects in 16 schools under the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF).

Council leader Chris Robbins has described the move as a “devastating blow” to the borough and politicians, teachers, parents and pupils have vowed to fight the cuts.

The Government admits that Waltham Forest is one of the areas hit the hardest by the decision to end BSF, due to the state of some facilities and the demand for school places.

But following a meeting with Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday (July 29), Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith said he is hopeful that local schools will see some investment.

He said: "I was assured by Michael Gove that the end of the BSF programme, which incidentally was incredibly wasteful and bureaucratic, does not mean the end of capital spending for schools.

“I also obtained a guarantee that either (junior education ministers) Lord Hill or Nick Gibb will visit Waltham Forest after the recess period and meet some of the headteachers in the borough to discuss their individual needs.

“I am determined to stand up for our local schools and to ensure they get the capital spending they need after the Autumn Spending Review."

A meeting was held today (July 30) at the Department of Education in Westminster between MPs and Lord Hill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Schools.

It was revealed that the decision on whether schools will be able to apply for capital spending will now be made in the New Year.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said: “We think there is a very strong case for investment in Waltham Forest schools.

“I wanted them to know that the money from BSF wasn't for additional schools, but for the rebuilding of our schools in need.

“They said they are going to look at a need for school funding, but it will take six months.

“That's very disappointing. I don't know why it should take that long.

“That six month waiting time will be six months waiting in limbo.

“I want them to come and see first hand the challenges we are facing, and to meet the staff, parents and children at these schools.

“The campaigning and lobbying continues.”

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