CONSERVATIVE SCHOOLS BOSS TO BE QUIZZED IN COUNCIL OVER CLOSURE PLANS (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

CONSERVATIVE SCHOOLS BOSS TO BE QUIZZED IN COUNCIL OVER CLOSURE PLANS

June 24, 2008 3:59 PM

Conservative Cabinet member in charge of Schools, Cllr Jim Dodds, will be quizzed on plans for schools in North Kirklees following media reports of planned closures and new academy schools.

Lib Dem Councillors Kath Pinnock and John Smithson will be seeking clear answers about when final plans will become public and how the Council will consult with local people.

Cllr John Smithson said "I know that the media reports have unsettled a lot of pupils, parents and staff. I want to hear from Cllr Dodds when we will get full details of the Conservative plans for schools and how parents will be consulted. It is vital the Council communicates openly with people as soon as possible. Parents have a right to be consulted over the future education of their children and they will want information quickly."

Cllr Pinnock said "I have urgent questions to ask about academy schools. Some people see academies as an easy way to fix educational problems, but with 31% of existing academies described as 'failing' by the Minister for Education we need to think very carefully about putting too much faith in the system. I will be asking the Cabinet Member to explain whether an academy school would mean a newly-built school or simply the rebranding of an existing school.

"I also want to raise issues over standards of education in academies. 23 of the existing 86 academies were described as 'failing schools' by Ed Balls, the Government Minister. I would hate to see millions spent on academies here only for them to be condemned in future."

The questions tabled to be asked at the meeting of Council tomorrow are:

From Cllr Kath Pinnock:

1) The recent media articles about the Building Schools for the Future programme included reports that academy schools could be created in Kirklees. Will Cllr Dodds confirm that, contrary to widely held perceptions, academy schools can be established in existing school buildings and the promise of an academy does not always mean a complete new build?

2) In light of the fact that, according to Ed Balls, 26 of the 83 academies set up so far are deemed to be 'failing', does Cllr Dodds share my concerns that academies do not provide a magic solution to the issue of school standards?

From Cllr John Smithson:

1. How did the account of the Building Schools for the Future plans end up in the media before being communicated fully with residents, and does the Cabinet Member know who passed this report to the media?

2. Who should concerned pupils, parents and staff approach for more information now that the likelihood of school closures has been raised in the media?

3. Can the Cabinet Member outline what plans are in place to ensure there is full consultation with residents about the proposals?

4. When will full details of the Cabinet Member's proposals for schools in North Kirklees be made public?