Councillor’s concern over Wakeman School closure
Friday 2nd September 2011, 7:00PM BST.
The proposed closure of the Wakeman School could put other schools in Shrewsbury under pressure as pupil numbers increase in the coming years, a Shropshire councillor has claimed.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Roger Evans said he had a number of concerns about the plans to shut the secondary school in Abbey Foregate in August 2013. He said one issue worrying him related to plans to build 6,500 homes.
This is the number destined to be built in the Shrewsbury area between 2006 and 2026 and he says it will inevitably increase the number of families living in the town.
Councillor Evans said: “It is predicted that in order to accommodate year 7 pupils in 2016, additional work will need to be done to increase the capacity of the remaining schools.
“Also to be considered is that there will be a reduction in choice for parents including the fact there will be the loss of the leading and only arts college in Shrewsbury.”
Members of the Shropshire Council cabinet are to rule next Wednesday on whether the Wakeman should shut after David Taylor, director of people’s services at the local authority, recommended the closure should go ahead after a lengthy consultation process.
One of the chief reasons behind the closure is the decline in pupil numbers at the school, with 240 enrolled for the coming academic year. This compares with the 675 pupils it had in 2002.
Councillor Evans said: “I am aware that for a number of years there has been a whispering campaign that the Wakeman was to close and this has never been very strongly denied by leading officers.
“Until these gathered force in 2008/09, numbers continued to remain steady. The present number reflect this perception.
He added that he was also concerned about transport issues for students who currently attend the Wakeman and would have to go somewhere else in future.
“Parents of the many young people who it is being suggested should go to Meole Brace will face having to pay for two bus journeys,” Councillor Evans said.
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, cabinet member for schools, said: “We, as a cabinet, have another very difficult decision to make.
“However, we have not arrived at this stage without careful consideration.”
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It’s official – new houses don’t necessarily result in more school places being needed. Read David Taylor’s reports on the school closures and you will see that a few houses proposed in the vicinity of Rhyn Park will generate extra children but lots and lots of houses built near to The Wakeman won’t.
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Clever isn’t it, you spread rumours that a school is going to close, the numbers fall and then you propose to close the school because the numbers have fallen.
It is unbelievable – if only it wasn’t true.
Good Luck Wakeman – We’re All With You.
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This is short term madness they are throwind property up all over town and there will be children having to walk miles or catch 2 or 4 busses aday and the price of bus fares and the freeze on family allowance are going to put our young at danger well said roger as our local primary school is growing insize which you would think means there are more young children who will turn in to secondry school children might the development of old gay meadow and 179 dwellings not wanting a school and access road to school is to narrow for much traffic so may need to be made wider and the wakeman car park is in way plus playing fields could be worth 3 or 4 million pounds once empty.
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Also the building of apartments and houses near Greyfriars Bridge are they to contain young people who will benefit by the closure only the torys who would like to do away altogether with Comprehensive Education and i agree 100% with grumpo except sheep have feelings torys don’t.
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i dont think kids should have to pay them prices for a 2 or 3 buses to school everyday, they should get the exercise they need and people want them to get and walk or get a push bike. i think people should be gratefull for there chance to walk. alot of people will never walk, run or ride again. we didnt always have cars or a bus to get us places, some people have to walk miles everyday just for water so they can try and have a life at all. sometimes i wonder how the human race survived. sorry but i just dont no why people are going on about the kids having to walk to school, what do you want a 16stone kid at the age of 12? what kind of life would that be?
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Sensible concerns expressed by the Councillor but he is not in Keith Barrows party so really the comments will carry little weight when the Council consider the proposal, the sheep follow their leader and the closure is approved.
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What would former pupil Wilfred Owen say!
Don’t let the short term decision to close, lead to a long term decision of regret, many council’s have made this mistake in the past, we have to be better than this.
Come on Shropshire don’t give up or give in we can move with the times and still keep our heritage intact.
all the best to Wakeman
Mike
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Thank you, Roger Evans, and the other councillors like you who are standing by The Wakeman and challenging those at Shropshire Council who wield power with little regard for the views and rights of those they represent. This Cabinet is out of control and needs to be challenged and brought to account. Long live Wakeman!
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