PEOPLE in Blacon see the coalition government's decision to scrap the Building Schools for the Future funding as a broken promise, according to a former Lord Mayor.
Cllr Reggie Jones (Lab) argues that Blacon was promised it would be included in the programme.
He told a meeting of the full council: “People in Blacon see this as a broken promise and tragic for Blacon’s hope of breaking down the ill conceived perceptions of our schools.”
He asked education chief Cllr Arthur Harada (Con, Overleigh): “What will he be doing to ensure Blacon’s needs are not forgotten?”
Cllr Harada replied: “I am sure Cllr Jones is very much aware that we do have a great deal of input into Blacon in all the schools and in the children’s centre and, of course, into Blacon High as it stands at the moment.
“We are determined to make sure that under the new headship from September 2010, standards will rise in that area right through all the primary schools and right through Blacon High School.
“We are hoping to see a lot more children staying on in Blacon High School and completing the necessary qualification courses in order to enter universities.”
Cllr Harada emphasised: “We do not have anything but high expectations and aspirations for all children in the authority.”
He insisted the council was “very much aware” of the need for extra educational qualifications in areas of high disadvantage to help children “arise from the situation they sadly find themselves in, in many situations” and to ensure they do better.
