The Kilburn Rose

The Lib Dem Tory coalition is fudging the desperate need for more
schools in Brent. It is focussing on limited expansion of existing
schools and the rebuild of the John Kelly schools, subject to future
bids for Building Schools for the Future funding. Meanwhile, more
children are without school places, parental choice is diminishing,
and children coming into the borough are placed in temporary ‘projects’.

The coalition’s reluctance to accept the need for a new school is
putting at risk the proposal for a new all-through school in Wembley
-- time is running out. The proposal
-- which Labour consulted on and developed with the DfES -- would
provide modern learning and sports facilities with community access;
it would also address the shortage of places, the drift to the north
towards the good schools, and cater for the increased demand
projections in the new housing development areas.

The failure to take action, and the determination to stand by Lib Dem
election pledges, means that Every Child Does Not Matter to the
coalition. Overcrowded classrooms, unacceptable travel and falling
school standards will affect children’s life chances and put
additional pressure on other services, such as children’s social
services where the budget is already soaring out of control.

Mary Arnold
Spokesperson for Children and Families

# posted by Kilburn Labour Party : 9:49 AM