Extra school places welcome, but we need a new school
14th July 2009
Anne Main reacts to news that three local primary schools will expand their intake to accommodate extra pupils.
Reacting to the news that three local primary schools - Mandeville Primary School, Bernards Heath Infants School and Bernards Heath Primary School - will expand their intake to accommodate extra pupils, Anne Main, MP for St Albans said:
"Everybody recognises that there is a shortage of primary school places in St Albans, particularly in the city centre, and whilst it is welcome that some schools are agreeing to take extra pupils, there are no two ways about it - parents I have met want a school within walking distance in the city centre.
The only long-term solution is a new centrally-located city centre school, and I know that the County Council are in agreement on this. Following my meeting with the Minister I understand that this prospect has moved a step closer, and this is certainly a positive move.
Even the Government recognises that, at primary level, whilst there is a nationwide surplus of primary school places, in cities such as ours there is a real shortage. If we are to keep being made to increase the number of houses in our area, and to use brownfield sites in the city centre, facilities like this are badly needed.""
