Local schools for local children

Helen has continued to campaign with local parents for more primary school places. They had an early success in March when the Council announced five extra reception classes in

the areas highlighted by the campaign. Helen has pushed the Council to move quickly on a longer-term solution.

Helen said, “I will continue to push for a proper long-term solution to the shortage of school places and I’m on standby to support parents this winter if there aren’t enough places for 2010.”March saw an early success for this campaign when the council announced 5 extra bulge classes and committed to a consultation on the long term solution. At last the council administration has accepted that the bulge is actually a baby boom and not about to go away!

Local Schools for Local Children was launched by Helen Whately and a group of Surbiton parents worried about the shortage of primary school places. Two years in a row the council has put classrooms in portacabins after underestimating the number of children needing to start school.

The council’s consultation was launched in May received over 1,200 responses despite causing confusion with the form and unusual meeting format. The responses confirmed the demand for several new primary schools and concern about schools getting too big. Up to 3-form entry is considered acceptable but four-form entry schools are not welcome in the Borough.

In the next round of the consultation, Helen wants the council to be clear about the site options for new schools and give a picture of the school choices for parents that will result; “They must show how they are solving the ‘no coverage’ zones where families end up excluded from all their local schools.”

“The council has sought peoples’ views but there’s still a long way to go to make sure we get the right outcome. Finding suitable sites is a huge challenge and problems of access and congestion at school gates must tackled head on. The good news is that the council is confident they will secure Government funding, despite the economic situation”.

While visiting primary schools up for expansion Helen was asked by Head Teachers what difference a Conservative government would make if elected next year;

“Don’t be misled by scaremongering about funding cuts and a return to large class sizes. These are not Conservative plans. In fact, we intend to deliver even more places and more choice by freeing up the monopoly that the state has over government-funded education. The council say they didn’t see this places crisis coming, but plenty of parents did.”

When SW Trains attempted to close an entrance to New Malden station they under-estimated the opposition they would face. Helen took part in the campaign which forced SWT to put in a manned gate, but station users are far from satisfied.

Helen is now following up on complaints; ‘It’s clear the compromise isn’t working.' SWT must do better.’Local campaigns really can make a difference, a point proven this summer when South West Trains compromised on the closure of the south entrance to New Malden station after a campaign involving station users, businesses and political representatives.

SW Trains planned to completely close the station entrance, cutting the station off from the bus stop, cab office and car park. In response to the protest SWT have compromised on their plans, still putting in a gate but proposing to man this at peak times and leave it open the rest of the time.

Helen Whately said; “South West Trains behaved as if the views of passengers

were irrelevant. Thanks to the campaign they were made to think again, but there

is something wrong when the train company can make a major change with little more than a poster in the station giving notice.”

After catching up with local businesses, Helen commented; “This compromise is better than SWT’s original plans, but no one sees it as a good long term solution.

Station users are far from satisfied and Helen is now following up on complaints; “It’s clear the compromise isn’t working. SWT must do better. I want to see our stations improved and treated as part of our local heritage not just a source of short-term profits for rail companies.”

Promoted by Nick Kilby on behalf of Helen Whately, both of 3 Bridle Close, Surbiton Rd, Kingston, KT1 2JW. Hosted by SiteMaker Software Ltd, Suite 360, Princess House, 50-60 East Castle Street, London, W1W 8EA