Challenge Government for two school solution

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jul 2007

Lib Dems want to argue for two new smaller schools for Wisewood and Myers Grove

Local Liberal Democrats on Sheffield City Council have made a plea for all political parties and campaign groups to come together and challenge Government in order to secure two new schools for both Wisewood and Myers Grove in the North West of the city.

Council officers have informed councillors that there is the option of two new smaller schools that includes no subsidy from other schools, a full and comprehensive curriculum and a new 14-19 centre on the Myers Grove site. However, the Governments initial response to the proposal has been to blackmail local people and threaten to freeze funding for other new school buildings.

Lib Dems have condemned Government for trying to dictate to Sheffield a one size fits all model for education. Lib Dems have highlighted that the only stumbling block to two new smaller community schools is the Governments refusal to support two smaller schools that could provide a full and varied education for young people in the S6 area.

Two newly built schools would meet the Governments requirement for removing places as they would have the same combined pupil number as the proposed new school. The solution would also suit the requirement to provide the best possible education for the young people of the area.

The council has until September to convince Government to support building two new smaller community schools at Wisewood and Myers Grove before any funding for school rebuilds would be at potential risk from the Government.

Lib Dems have proposed that all local political parties and campaign groups come together to lobby Government to change their view. They propose going to London and presenting a united front, arguing that Sheffield should be allowed to implement its own education policy and not be dictated to by Whitehall.

Cllr Sylvia Anginotti, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Education, said: -

"All along we have been told that there is only one option on this issue. Only now the council admit that there are other options, including two new smaller schools for both the Wisewood and Myers Grove communities. The only stumbling block to delivering this solution, which would provide excellent education for the young people of the North West of the City, is the Government."

"The fact that the Government are trying to dictate to Sheffield how to deliver education provision is bad enough. But blackmailing local people by threatening to freeze funding for other school improvements if they don't get their way is deplorable."

"We are clear that we have until September to change the Governments mind and deliver two new smaller schools that would provide a great educational opportunity for all children in the S6 area. We are urging all political parties and campaign groups to come together and launch a bid to go down to London and argue for two new smaller schools for these communities."

"We only have a short-time to change the Governments mind on this issue. We will be arguing for the council to spearhead a cross-party delegation to make our case to Government."