Ed Balls to meet Essex MPs over school closures

ESSEX MPs are to meet Labour Schools Secretary Ed Balls after the minister admitted there was “cause for concern” about school closures in the county.

Colchester MP Bob Russell is to meet Mr Balls to discuss parents’ fears over plans to close Thomas Lord Audley and Alderman Blaxhill secondary schools, in Colchester, in 2015.

Parents say the move will leave remaining schools struggling to cope with the extra pupils.

Castle Point MP Bob Spink is also to meet ministers to discuss similar fears surrounding plans to close Furtherwick Park School, Canvey, in 2011.

Essex County Council wants to close all three because it says they are under-performing, but both MPs fear with populations growing in their constituencies existing schools will not offer enough places.

Independent MP Dr Spink said: “Essex County Council has got itself into a real mess.

“Schools in Colchester and Castle Point are already oversubscribed and the Government plans to raise the full-time school leaving age to 18 by 2013. How are the schools going to cope?

“The council is shutting much-loved local schools, without the foresight to provide places for future pupils. It has got its maths wrong.”

In response to a Parliament-ary question from Dr Spink, Mr Balls recently admitted to concerns about the way the Tory county council was handling the closures.

Mr Balls has agreed to discuss his concerns with Dr Spink, after he has met Lib Dem MP Bob Russell for talks about the Colchester proposals.

In Colchester, parents have further worries, because it has been revealed £130million of Government money promised for 2012 to improve five secondary schools in the town is to be delayed until 2013.

Mr Russell said: “It’s ridiculous funds are being delayed at a time when schools need them to provide extra places.

“Colchester is the fastest-growing town in the region and the closure of those two schools will mean 1,000 extra places will be needed.

“I don’t think the sums add up.”

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