Danesmore Park

Councillor Phil Bateman said "The issue about Danesmore Park Primary School has exposed quite a debate now on the estate. When I informed people that there were likely changes to take place, and I called for a debate on Primary education on Ashmore Park before the summer holidays, I was anticipating that the surplus places issue was about to break.

Now I have to say that there is no school on Ashmore Park that I have more than a little emotional attachment to than Danesmore Park. I attended there as a pupil, I saved 'my sixpences' for the swimming pool, I went back as a school governor and I acted as the Chair of Governors.

I have more than a soft spot for the school and I feel strongly about the schools development.I felt very glum when I heard that the November 2005 OFSTED inspection had gone so bad for them. The 'Notice to Improve' has undoubtedly weighed heavily on the officers that wrote the report naming Danesmore Park.

The questions that I want answered is about investment. If a school closes on the estate what is the level of investment that we will see take place in the other schools? The Officers report also suggests that a closure will "offer an opportunity for 'developing provision' in a way which can benefit generations of Wednesfield children and their families for at least the next thirty years."

I want to know how?

What is the developing provision the City Education Officers have in mind?

Will all the other three schools (whichever may be left) get equal development?

These are the type of questions that I shall be asking during this informal consultation.

Will we get a newly designed school elsewhere on a current school site?

This 'Informal Consultation' is not just about Danesmore it is about education in all the schools on the estate, it is a huge issue, and deserves to be treated seriously.