Shrewsbury’s two post-16 colleges have compiled a list of what they claim are the top 10 myths about plans to become next door neighbours.They have circulated it to councillors and other decision-makers in the town and county as well as posting it on the web. Plans were submitted last year for the co-location of the sixth form college from its town centre site to Shrewsbury’s College of Arts and Technology in London Road.
But SOS campaigners against the move have hit out at the list claiming the colleges have still not dealt with their objections.
Greg Molan, principal of Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, said they wanted “to set the record straight on 10 subjects which have been misrepresented or misunderstood so often they have achieved near-mythological status”.
He went on: “Top of the list are the allegations that Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is closing or merging with us. This is simply not true. The college is moving from an unsuitable site to brand new purpose-built premises designed around its needs. The two colleges will remain independent.”
He added other myths included claims there were suitable sites in the town centre and that the economy would suffer if the sixth form college moves.
He said: “Perhaps the best myth is that we are not listening to the public. We have spent more than 18 months listening to responses from all quarters and as a result our final plans include a number of changes suggested by members of the public.”
But an SOS spokesman said: “The fact remains that this scheme cannot be regarded as essential for delivery of current educational policy because it is neither national policy nor the norm. Our major and substantive objections are that this scheme contravenes major national, regional and local planning policies and is not sustainable.”
Real worries, or fables of fear?
The 10 myths the colleges claim have circulated around Shrewsbury about the co-location project:
- Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is closing.
- Co-location is really a merger.
- The town centre economy will suffer.
- There are suitable sites for co-location in the town centre.
- The colleges are going to change their mind.
- Co-location will cause traffic chaos.
- There will be a loss of playing fields.
- There is widespread opposition to co-location.
- Standards will fall if the two colleges move to the same site.
- The colleges are not listening to the public.
3 Comments
Well thats it then, if they say they are myths then myths they are?? i say do not through a bucket of water over my head and tell me its raining.
Having read the myths ,
colocation is realy a merger of course it is ,
town centre will suffer, of course it will,
suitable colocation in the town centre, i do not think they hav tried hard enough.
colleges are going to change there mind (view of a confrontational principle)
there is wide spread opposition , clearly the ones driving this are clueless as to whats going on around them.
standards will fall of course they will only an idiot says they will not many shrewsbury college students are there becouse they have know where else to go sixth form pupils are there becouse they have ambition many college pupils will disrupt them .
traffic chaos ,of course it will god help the people livig on that road house devaluation causing amusement to some steam rollong this.
the college are not listning to the public , yes they are and then ignoring any complaints or any points of views that differ from theres.
IS IT ALL MYTH NO ITS ALL FACT.
When I was at SCAT there were problems with students from different subject areas.
Some from the middle east were students beaten up by students from the building / plumbing / car mechanics department and the students from the same area used to antagonise male students from performing arts. They used to call them names alluding to their sexulaity.
So there would probably be trouble between 6th form and SCAT students because SCAT students see 6th formers as snobs and feel inferior to them.