Head responds to local MP’S school ‘demolition’ claim
SOCIAL MEDIA POST LEFT PARENTS FEELING ‘CONFUSED’
THE headteacher of a school in Kirkbyin-ashfield has hit back after Conservative MP Lee Anderson caused confusion over the demolition of a school in a social media post.
Lee Anderson posted on Facebook to say he had secured funding to have Kirkby College Academy demolished and rebuilt as part of the Government school rebuilding programme.
The programme is to carry out major rebuilding and refurbishment work at school and sixth form colleges across the country, with buildings prioritised according to their condition.
The post by the MP for Ashfield caused confusion, and headteacher of Kirkby College, Mark Golden, wrote to parents to clarify the situation.
He wrote: “It has come to my attention that information has been published over the weekend on social media regarding Kirkby College Academy and I would like to provide you with a brief update on this.
“Myself and trust members of Kirkby College have been working with the Regional Schools’ Commissioner since 2018 to find a multi-academy trust to provide the school with the support needed to improve.
“I was notified before the half-term break that they have found a suitable match for the academy.
“Again, there is no further information I am able to share with you at this stage.”
However, Lee Anderson told the Post funding has been secured to demolish the building.
He said: “After being elected, I went to see the head teacher, as the school is the worst one in my patch by a million miles - I have a commitment to demolish the current school.
“I want the kids here in Ashfield to have the best possible education, and the best thing to do would be to knock that failing school down and restructure the management.
“What I’ve wanted all along is another comprehensive school in Ashfield which would compete with others, and make people think that it looks good and is a good school. “The public opinion is on my side.” The social media comments have drawn criticism from a local councillor.
Councillor Samantha Deakin, of the Ashfield Independents, issued a warning to politicians to ‘be careful about what they post online.’
She has been working with children and young people to get the school rebuilt on an improvement plan.
Councillor Deakin said: “Since the MP made his announcement, we have been inundated with enquiries by confused parents.
“They’ve been asking when their school will be knocked down, what the alternative educational arrangements are and when their school is being taken over.
“I am pleased that Mr Golden has clarified the situation at the school; while he diplomatically didn’t accuse Lee Anderson of misleading residents, his letter said everything but.
“In an attempt to claim credit for the re-build and governance arrangements that have been in discussion for nearly two years before he became an MP, the MP for Ashfield has caused chaos at the school.
“Politicians really need to think twice before making ill-thought, misleading comments on social media. They have a responsibility to be honest.
“As a member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, we will continue put to the interests of the young people of Kirkby first.
“Our school leaders should be concentrating on the huge challenges they face POST-COVID - not having to take time out to clarify remarks from MPS that cause confusion.”
When those comments were put to Mr Anderson, he said: “There was a meeting in February, March, April 2020 time where I said I wanted this school bulldozed with fresh management in place, and everybody agreed.
“I’ve got the minister involved which they had been trying to do for years Covid has slowed everything down or else the first pupils would be in the new school now.”