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15
May, 2000
Liberal Democrats have suggested a way forward for PASS and Kingston Headteachers on finding a solution to the problem of Secondary School places.
The Committee heard a deputation from PASS, who presented the parental survey they had taken in the Borough. PASS believe that the needs of some parents and children in Kingston are not being met by the current distribution of Secondary schools. Their preferred solution is for a new mixed school in north Kingston, but they were keen to explore other solutions. The Secondary School Headteachers then told the Committee that they were anxious that a new school would take pupils away from existing schools and spread the resources too thinly.
Following the deputation Councillor Mary Reid, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education asked the Headteachers whether they would be prepared to work creatively with the LEA, PASS and other agencies to find a solution to the concerns expressed by the parents.
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They willingly agreed to do so, and as a direct result the Director of Education and Leisure offered to set up discussions with everyone involved.
Councillor Mary Reid said
"The shape of the Borough, the location of the Secondary schools and their admissions policies have combined to produce educational black holes.
Children unfortunate enough to live in these areas cannot obtain places at their nearest schools, and have poor access to public transport to travel to schools further away. This is a particular problem in North Kingston, but mini black holes are dotted around the Borough.
Some creative thinking by everyone involved should result in some interesting solutions."
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