We must now add mystery to confusion over Essex County Council’s assertion that £130million is to be spent on reorganising secondary schools in Colchester.

The Government organisation responsible for funding such schemes has told me that the county council has not provided a breakdown as to how the figure had been arrived at.

I approached Partnerships for Schools after Essex County Council refused to say how the figure of £130million would be spent.

I have now written to the heads of the secondary schools to suggest that they get, in writing, from the county council, whatever it is they have been promised verbally.

I get the clear impression that Essex County Council has been making things up as it goes along. During the public consultation it quoted the figure as being £100million. In August, as the council’s own minutes confirm, the figure had soared to £150million.

Now, the county council is talking about £130million – but how it arrived at this figure is something which not only is it refusing to tell the public, but it has also failed to give a breakdown to the Government organisation from whom it is hoping to get the money.

It seems to be plucking figures out of the air.

I think those headteachers and governing bodies who have been told their schools are going to get lots of money for a complete rebuild, or major refurbishment, or expansion, should ask Essex County Council to put that promise in writing.

Frankly, I do not believe a word Essex County Council says.

There is no guarantee this Government (or whoever forms the Government after next year’s General Election) will deliver this money. All the political parties are warning of huge cuts in public spending.

I shall continue to campaign to save Alderman Blaxill and Thomas Lord Audley schools from closure.

Bob Russell
MP for Colchester
Magdalen Hall
Wimpole Road
Colchester

...St Helena School headteacher Kevin Prince, commenting on the Philip Morant road row (Gazette, December 4) said “elected representatives in Colchester”

were missing out on “a once-in-a-lifetime investment”.

I would put the onus on the county council representatives for forcing an illconceived, divisive strategy on all Colcestrians.

I would add any investment is hypothetical because no one can foresee what funding, if any, will be awarded to any county council school plan.

However, what surprised me the most was Mr Prince’s view a prospective teacher would prefer a 21st century building to a 1937 one.

Shouldn’t “the signpost to the value” of education be teaching staff, not bricks and mortar? If he is right, what sort of teacher is being bred these days?

In light of this, I consider myself very lucky to have attended a 70-year-old school in the 1960s.

Thank goodness Wilson Marriage’s headteacher Mr Matthew, and his excellent teaching staff, were proud enough to teach in such an old building – rather than be seduced by a new, 20th century one, e.g. Philip Morant (built in 1963).

Those teachers inspired and taught me very well, irrespective of the fact that their surroundings were not modern.

Mrs H A Johnson
Capel Road
Colchester