Lib Dems Late for School

At the Executive of 1 December we learnt that the Government, through the Partnership for Schools, would fund Kingston& 146;s new school in North Kingston, - in principle. Officers now need to tender for the education provider who would run the new school and, in 12 months, present Kingston completed case to the Treasury to release the funds. This is marvellous news and all credit to our Council officers who have kept up a continual dialogue with the Civil Servants, then learning this week that their work has been successful. Councillor Dennis Doe, Conservative Education spokesman, praised the officers at last night& 146;s Executive meeting.

But he demonstrated to the Executive that the North Kingston parents and he had petitioned the Executive to tender for the education supplier of a new co-ed school in North Kingston two years ago. At the Executive of 22nd January 2008 that requested was rubbished. One reason given was & 147;there is no local sustainable demand for additional secondary school places based on pupil numbers projections& 148;. Now, 22 months, the Council believes it needs 15 new Forms of Entry across the Borough, not just the 4 or 6 the parent requested back in January 2008.If only the Executive had responded positively 22 months ago! We might have been a whole academic year ahead of where we are now. But we shall never know, now.

Cllr Dennis Doe also protested that the Executive agenda made no reference to Grey Court School just over the border in Richmond. One of the reasons for refusing the parents at the January 2008 Executive was & 147;rebuilding Grey Court School as cross-border movement of pupils is key for Kingston& 146;s future plans and provision& 148; Cllr Doe argues thatGrey Court is an important extra supplier of places for North Kingston pupils. Why was no mention made at all? Even Mrs Kramer, the Richmond Park MP, agreed that Grey Court should be considered. After last night I am convinced that our Education in Kingston is in good professional officers& 146; hands. But I question whether it is in safe political hands whilst the Liberal Democrats are the Administration.