VOTE: Vale of Ancholme Technology College 'deserves a better deal'
A COLLEGE boss has called for a better deal for her 750 students after plans to rebuild its North Lincolnshire campus were ditched by the Government.
Students at the Vale of Ancholme Technology College in Brigg have now joined in a campaign to press for much-needed work to be carried out under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
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CAMPAIGN: Vale of Ancholme College principal Gail Young, who is pressing for much-needed work to be carried out under the Building Schools for the Future programme. Picture: David Haber
The 53-year-old campus, on Grammar School Road, was to be rebuilt as part of a £100-million plan submitted in 2008 by North Lincolnshire Council.
But the newly-electedGovernment has shelved the second wave of BSF projects as part of a major cost-cutting drive.
Gail Young, the principal, said: "On behalf of the students, staff, governors and parents we were all very disappointed to hear of the Government's response to the Building Schools for the Future programme.
"Ours was the only rural school in North Lincolnshire earmarked for a full new build."
She added: "We will, of course, continue to strive to provide a good quality education for our students and we are constantly improving our results and standards but we feel that our students deserve a better deal."
She said resources and facilities at the college were "very good" but the condition of buildings was poor and took up a large proportion of the college's budget.
"Flat roofs are notorious for their leaks and ours are no exception," she said.
"We have spent several thousands of pounds on repairs to these recently.
"The fact that all of our pipework is located underground means that the detection and repair of leaks is extremely expensive.
"Our boilers are ancient, as are our windows, which means that energy costs are also very high."
Mrs Young said North Lincolnshire was already one of the nation's worst funded education authorities and was in dire need of the BSF cash boost.
"A new build is not crucial to our students' futures but decent funding which is fair and equitable with other areas of the country is," she added.
Councillor Tony Gosling , the cabinet member for children's services at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "The government needs to come clean on its future intentions for our rural schools.
"School communities are currently in the dark.
"I am fearful that the lack of honesty and transparency will lead to further savage cuts, distorting the quality of education provided to children and young people within North Lincolnshire."
In March last year North Lincolnshire Council announced its £100 million plan to transform seven rural secondary schools in Brigg, Barton- Upon-Humber,Crowle, Epworth, Winterton, and Kirton in Lindsey.
The proposals put forward in November 2008 had been placed in the top half of the government's priorities of projects either underway or expected to start.
The council spent two months consulting local people about the best way to transform the final seven secondary schools in the area.
9 Comments
by BC, Bonby
Monday, July 26 2010, 1:09PM
“Out of defeatism and sheer desperation (and perhaps stupidity?) I see that a certain Liebor disciple is still peddling his brand of opportunist and devious political propaganda and dogma on his blog.
Even now stooping to mock and ridicule Andrew Percy MP and an initiative to promote recognition and support for our heroic, lads and lasses out in Afghanistan and armed forces in general.
Where was his and SCLP's attacks, mockery and ridicule of the conduct and shattered reputation of their own HAS BEEN and at one time supposed right honourable member of parliament.
A staggeringly despicable fau pas and almighty hypocritical lack of political judgment and sophistication.
I suggest that Cllr Grant would be well advised to up his game well before next May's local council elections, stick to his dogma and leave parody to others!!”
by Ian, Scunthorpe
Friday, July 23 2010, 10:48AM
“General Election literature from Labour (and possibly the Lib Dems then!) made it clear that these proposed new schools would be scrapped by a Tory Government. And people in the Brigg & Goole constituency voted for a Tory MP and a Tory Government. Now they have got what they voted for!”
by BC, Bonby
Thursday, July 15 2010, 10:38AM
“More fool Neil Poole if he hasn't the backbone to stand up to the evident parochial culture of intimidation within Nth Lincs' 2nd rate councils and local government. And the guts to fend off the slurs, attacks and victimisation from the devious and deceitful tactics from its 3rd rate councillors, politicians and has beens and never weres!!”
by Judas, Sunny Scunny
Thursday, July 15 2010, 9:26AM
“"As for local debate on local issues there was very little of it ...". How so very very true. I would estimate that 80% of this and many more full council sessions was committed to the self serving political interests, dogma, point scoring and mudslinging from both Tory and Labour groups.
On all sides, NLC lacks intellect and any substance and has to be the most embarassing excuse for a local authority.
There would surely be a local outcry and scandal if only the great and the good; the naive, apathetic and gullible of Nth Lincs and Scunthorpe got off their backsides to witness the shambolic and disgraceful conduct and performance of their community leaders and representatives.”
by The Scribe to Capt Kirk and his crews folly's, In the NLC council chamber
Thursday, July 15 2010, 12:34AM
“I couldn't agree more with Judas' statement in regard to the Labour councillor's antics in the chamber tonight. It was pathetic, from their "shouting down" of the opposition (unchecked by the deputy mayor most of the time), to their orchestration at the earliest opportunity (approx 45 minutes into the session) of a victimisation onslaught of Councillor Poole due to his move to the Conservatives, the Labour party however left Councillor John Berry alone although he left the Conservative party to go independent (presumably in the hope that he will join them in the long term). As for local debate on local issues there was very little of it because the Labour side avoided the issues raised the majority of the time, attempting to turn everything toward national matters. Why? Going on what occurred this evening probably because they had nothing to constructively say on local matters. In regard to the BSF program and its stoppage due to lack of sustainable funding thanks to a £160+Billion deficit (Labour's 13 year legacy) Cllr Gosling's only retort was to basically condemn the new Government for refusing to continue to spend money the country hasn't got.
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS LABOUR COUNCIL'S RELIANCE ON UNSUSTAINABLE FUNDING TO MEET THEIR OTHERWISE UNACHIEVABLE PROMISES.
What Councillor Gosling didn't do was apologise to the people of North Lincolnshire for relying on a last ditch quick fix headline grabbing dying Labour government who promised what they hadn't got, in a bid to stay in power no matter what the long term ramifications were for the taxpayers of this country and North Lincolnshire, and also failing to address the schools issue in a properly costed and supported way over the last 8 years or so that Labour have been in council control.
The loss of any funding for the completion of any promised projects is solely down to the financial mis-management of the Labour Party nationally and the lethargic apathy of the Labour party¿s Council planning and foresight locally for the last 8 years. No one else¿s.”
by Judas, Sunny Scunny
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:36PM
“How staggeringly rich for any of Labour's local disciples to challenge others about coming clean and a lack of openness and transparency?! Particularly given Nu Liebors track record of 13 years of half truths and spin and the proven calibre and reputation of certain of Labour's local movers and shakers, past and present.
AND I defy anyone who would disagree after witnessing the derisable calibre of leadership and performance of NLC Labour group in the council chamber!!
With the defection of Neil Poole to the Tories, from the Labour group's orchestrated reactions and retaliations, they clearly know they are in their death throes and in their panic, will continue spewing out their condemnations and propaganda at this and every other opportunity, here on in until the local elections next May.”
by Anne, North Lincolnshire
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 4:28PM
“Caring conservative, what has 99% of farmers got to do with the school are u implying that farmers are thick and don't benefit from schooling?????”
by Caring Conservative, On holiday in Brigg
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 12:06PM
“Why do you need a top notch school in Brigg anyway ? 99% are farmers and all you need are big strong arms and shoulders .”
by Frank, Brigg
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:09AM
“Why hasn't Andrew Percy commented?
All the parents, governors and staff who voted Tory or Lib Deb should apologise to the children.”