Page 13 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2004 13
North Swindon parents' hopes for new secondary school dashed
As The Link goes to press the process of selecting a contractor to undertake Swindon's largest ever education project is being announced to
build schools in North Swindon, involving nearly £100 million worth of Government backed Private Funding Initiative (PFI) credits and
Council funding over the next 25 years.
The project will heard submissions Fairford, there will still be twenty
see a new Hreod from Blunsdon and surplus places available in schools
Parkway School Haydon Wick parish in other parts of Swindon for North
built on a single councils, from the Swindon children.
site, adjacent to the temporary governing Joanne Wood from Abbey
present upper body and also parents Meads said parents of children in
school, the build- calling for a 2006 Year 4 were dismayed. "My hus-
ing of a new sec- opening. band and I are very unhappy about
ondary school, However it unani- this decision. We moved to the
known as Sl on a mously backed the area in 1998 because we were told
campus in Priory education depart- that a new, local secondary school
Vale, alongside a ment's case that to would be ready. Now we don't
primary school stay within the avail- know where my daughter will go."
and two special able budget and to The new Hreod Parkway School
North Swindon parents who attended the Schools Organisation
schools. A replace- Committee on 17 May to lobby for a 2006 opening utilise all secondary is due to open in January 2006. It is
ment for Moredon places across the hoped that the community facili-
Infants and Juniors is also in- meeting in Abbey Meads to open town, 51 should open in 2007. The ties to be included at SI will be
volved. Si in September 2006 rather than department says it would be available from September 2006.
Swindon Council launched a 2007. She explained that lack of £400,000 short if the school started Pictures of the new schools
consultation process in July 2000 children moving into North Swin- operating a year earlier and on the were released on 24 May.
with a view to opening schools in don and fewer than expected ba- assumption that40 children attend
September 2003. But the first PFI bies being born in the area were schools outside the borough, See them at
bid failed before a better prepared two reasons for a proposed delay mainly those who travel to www.swindonlink.com
submission was accepted by Gov- in the opening date.
ernment. In May parents discovered that
People living in North Swin- the education department had
don will be very relieved to hear published a statutory notice in the
that work is about to start. How- Saturday edition of the evening GASTECH
ever a decison not to open Si until paper in March and had not sent
September 2007 has upset parents information to primary schools. By
of about 120 children presently in the time the opening date was to
Year 4 who will not have the chance be discussed at the independent
to go there. Schools Organisation Committee, • Central heating installation
Last September, director of edu- it was too late to lodge formal ob- and efficiency upgrades
cation Hilary Pitts came under jections. • Repairs to all appliances
pressure from parents at a public Nevertheless the committee and central heating systems Full preventative
• Servicing to central heating boilers maintenance, annual service,
• Gas appliance fitting
Marching and musical fun for girls • Warm air heating parts and labour cover
to entire system
West Swindon based Blubelle Majorettes are looking forward to a • Gas appliance sales
busy year with displays planned for the Old Town Festival in July • Combination boilers www.gastechwilts.co.uk
and the Purton and Hungerford carnivals, as well as local school fairs,
carnivals and fetes.

i!1I1I1 ^

With 250 bikes

on show
THE price is right
THE parking is free
Lastyearthegirlswei( m%,irded passing on her experience as a
first prize in the Old Town Festival majorette for 10 years during the e liQ
Parade and later visited the May- 1980s. T "'
ors Parlour to be presented with a Apart from performing at
commemorative medal. events, the majorettes also take part Parts, repairs,
The troupe are also booked for in team building days and a fun
events further afield, including a day, which this year includes a accessories, /
return to the Bournmouth Carnival trip to Barry Island. back up stock
where they won first prize last year. Christine said, "the majorettes Open: Mon to Sat
Five adult trainers supervise give girls a great deal of self-confi- 9am to 5.30pm
marching routes for the 35 dence, team work and the exercise Closed Sundays WEIIflE
H[R[
majorettes. The musicians teach is excellent to keep them fit. If you
each other how to play snare and are aged between 8 and 14 and
bass drum and bell lyre, with help would like to make new friends,
from organiser Christine Doyle, call me on 852979.