Trudi Davies The Politics Show South East

Primary class: Many Kent primary schools face closure

Can closing schools ever be a good thing? Kent County Council's Primary Strategy is in full swing with 12 schools under threat of closure and a further 26 on an amalgamation list that will reduce their number by half.

Kent say that they are acting responsibly.

With over 14,000 empty places across the County they have a surplus capacity of nearly 12% which they claim is far higher than the Audit Commission recommendation of 5 -7%.

The Council have calculated that each empty place costs them about �250/year to maintain - a total annual cost of over �3.5m.

All this needs to happen quickly, claim KCC, given the declining birthrate, down 2,000 births a year since 1990.

A good example then of a Council acting prudently and planning for the future.

Strong feelings

Unsurprisingly though not everyone sees the plan in a positive light. Parents, staff and pupils at the 38 affected schools are furious, not just at Kent's decision but also at the way they have carried it out.

They claim that closing schools takes the heart from an area and leads to more cars on the road at school run time.

Even the threat of change is enough to unsettle children and affect their attitude to school.

As Disraeli (or was it Mark Twain) once said though, there are three kinds of lies, "lies, damned lies and statistics", and a closer examination of Kent's statistics reveal some interesting interpretations.

Surplus capacity

According to Kent their surplus capacity is nearly 12% much higher than the Audit Commission recommendation.

In fact the Department for Education and Skills lists their surplus as 11% and a quick scan through the DfES Primary Surplus Places for 2005 reveals that Kent are in no worse a situation than most of its neighbours.

Further, a call to the Audit Commission reveals that neither they nor the DfES lay down the law on surplus capacities but in a recent joint report they offer guidance figures of 10% with no individual school operating with more than 25% capacity.

Surplus Primary places Kent 11% East Sussex 7% West Sussex 12% Surrey 10% Essex 11% Source DfES 2005

Drastic reduction?

Kent County Council's stated aim of reducing their capacity to 5 - 7% is a draconian interpretation of anyone's guidelines and it is this that is causing the most upset.

In the Dover area alone, five schools are up for closure and four for amalgamation, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Gwyn Prosser the Labour MP for the area.

He raised the issue at Prime Ministers Questions only this week which drew a response from Tony Blair that he would "regret anything" that would put the Governments Primary School initiatives at risk.

Councillor John Simmonds: Kent schools fate in his hands?

Schools fate

Paul Siegert takes a trip to East Kent to visit two schools in the firing line.

Do people want to save their schools at any cost or are Kent County Council (KCC) acting correctly and simply making the difficult decisions that no-one wants to face up to?

Councillor John Simmonds is KCC's Cabinet Member for Education. The fate of Kent's schools will be decided by him over the summer of 2006.

If you have a question that you would like Paul to put to him then either text us on 07786 209252 or email us at [email protected] or via the link below.

A close shave

As another South East schoolboy gets a red card for having an England Flag painted in his hair Paul Siegert takes a trip to the barbers before taking to the streets to ask the people of Dover and Deal what they think.

Should schools enforce strict uniform policies or should we give children some leeway when it comes to big, national events?

A bit of fun or the thin end of the wedge - should schools suspend children on the basis of hairstyle alone?

Text us on 07786 209252 or email us at [email protected] or via the link below.

Paper review and comments

Graham Smith from The East Kent Mercury reviews the week's papers.

Paul Siegert presents the Politics Show in the South East

Next week

No Politics Show next week as we make way for the Wimbledon Final but we are back on the 16 July 2006 with an "Ask the Councillor" special.

If you have something that you would like your Council to justify then here is your chance.

Email us via the link and we will put your question to the Council or, if you would like to ask it yourself then leave us your contact details.

Email us: [email protected] or via the link below

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The Politics Show South East

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