Sponsored by
Parents' anger at council chief's confession
BATTLING parents are fuming after a council chief admitted she has never visited their children's under-threat school.
Oakleigh Gardens in Cleadon is one of five special schools in the borough earmarked for closure as part of a controversial shake-up proposed by South Tyneside Council.
The planned reorganisation, now the subject of a third round of consultations, would see two new schools replace the five facing the axe.
Karen Pemberton, the council's assistant head of service for schools organisation, has further angered parents already firmly opposed to the plan with her admission that she's never even been to Oakleigh Gardens.
Speaking at a Whitburn, Cleadon and Boldon community area forum meeting, she said: "I've not actually visited the school, but I hear it needs an update."
Her admission was greeted by grumbles from the public at the meeting, and Coun Jeff Milburn said he was "disgusted".
The Conservative councillor for Cleadon and East Boldon told the Gazette after the meeting: "I find it disgraceful that a senior council officer involved in the process has never even been to a school the council could be closing.
"How on earth can you get a good idea of the site without seeing it with your own eyes?
"It is an insult to the children and parents of the school. These people don't seem to care about the children."
Angela Gill, whose son Joshua goes to the school, said she found also Mrs Pemberton's oversight "disgraceful".
She added: "This just shows that the people making these decisions have absolutely no idea what it's like to live with these children.
"There's no way someone can make an informed decision without actually spending time with the kids.
"All the parents feel the same about this. I find it disgraceful."
Mrs Pemberton said: "My role in the review of special educational needs provision is to facilitate the consultation process and to collate the responses the council receives.
"I have not been directly involved in drawing up any of the proposals put forward under the review.
"It would not be appropriate for me to make public comment on the merits of either the proposals or the schools affected."
Under the current proposals, Oakleigh Gardens would merge with Hebburn's Greenfields School on one of four possible sites.
In April, parents at Oakleigh Gardens handed a petition signed by 7,000 people to Mrs Pemberton, calling for a new school to be built on the Cleadon site.
And in June, South Tyneside Council's cabinet backed proposals put together by parents to build a new school at Oakleigh Gardens.
The council has also earmarked three alternative sites in Hebburn for the new school, however.
Philip and Allison Young, whose eight-year-old daughter Abigail attends the school, said: "We accept that it needs an update, but it is a perfect location for a new build, and the kids love it there."
Coun Jim Foreman, the council's lead member for children and young people, said: "We are carrying out extensive consultation on these proposals, and all views expressed will be considered before any decisions are taken."
* The consultation period runs until Friday, October 9.
Comments on the proposals can be sent to: Special Educational Review Team, Town Hall and Civic Offices, Westoe Road, South Shields, NE33 2RL.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Tottenham Hotspur set to swoop for Newcastle United ace
- Footballer says sorry for horror-injury tackle
- Newcastle striker spared long trip before Sunderland clash
- Transfer Rumours Feb 22: Demba Ba, Asamoah Gyan, Newcastle, Sunderland, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea
- Transfer Rumours Feb 22 update: Demba Ba, Asamoah Gyan, Newcastle, Sunderland, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: West
