New state secondary school at St Ursula's? (Paul Harrod)

New state secondary school at St Ursula's?

February 18, 2010 10:47 AM

It is time to take the politics out of the issue of a new secondary school for north Bristol.

I have always supported local parents in the Westbury-on-Trym, Henleaze and Stoke Bishop area who felt there was a need for a new secondary school.

I have always felt the best solution was for a private school to convert to a state Academy school- as the capital costs of building a brand new school would not be found in the current recession.

If St Ursula's does take steps to become a new state academy school then I would welcome and support it.

However this can only happen if discussions take place between independent people. The Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, who is not a parent, and has no historic link with the school, should not be allowed to use the issue as a means to advance her own campaign.

She has shown very poor judgement in rushing out press releases when it has become very apparent that she had not got the agreement of the school's headteacher or even begun to consult with parents at the school.

I hope that this error of judgement will not derail what remains the best short-term option for new secondary school provision in north Bristol.

This issue is too important to be used as a front for a political campaign. All Prospective MPs, myself included, should have our say, but then step back to let independent people bring this matter to a successful conclusion.