Spending axe ‘a tragedy’

We fought hard for new building - Woolas

MP Phil Woolas has spoken out about the Government’s decision to ditch plans for a new Saddleworth School in Diggle, as the fall out over the sensational axe of the rebuilding scheme contiues.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP joined hundreds of shocked parents coming to terms with the consequences for the future of the borough’s ageing schools.

He said: “For the area it is a tragedy, it is very sad, unnecessary and partly political.

“We fought to get Saddleworth high on the list, now all we have to look forward to is what we have already got.”

“The grounds are hopelessly too small for a modern school and while I recognise that good heads and teachers make a good school, which Saddleworth have, a new building would make it so much better.”

Phil Wiggett, of Wiggett Constructions, part owns the land at the former pallet mill in Diggle, the proposed site of the new school. He said: “It was inevitable that cut backs were going to come”

Ken and Pat Annesley, from Greenfield, have a six-month-old granddaughter living locally and think that investment for the future needs to happen. Ken said: “It’s more conducive to learning if you are in a better environment instead of sitting under water dripping from the ceilings of old buildings. The cuts are radical and not the way to go — it is essential that the Government spends money on these kinds of projects.

However dad, Garth Whittle, (45), from Greenacres, said: “It is sad but it is not a surprise. For local people it is something that possibly would have been beneficial but I don’t subscribe to the view that a new school is a good school.” Major disappointment has also been expressed by the school’s governors.



WHERE THE AXE WILL FALL

AXED
:: New Saddleworth High School at the former Diggle Pallet Works. Open September, 2014.

:: £4.7 million school for children with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties at the current South Chadderton School site. Open September, 2013.

:: Refurbishment of New Bridge Special School learning centre, Fitton Hill. Open September, 2012.

:: Extensive refurbishment at Royton and Crompton, Hathershaw, Blue Coat and Crompton House schools. All open by January 2015

:: Refurbishment of Oldham’s Pupil Referral Unit. Open September, 2014.


UP IN THE AIR

:: Merger Our Lady’s and St Augustine’s in a new £30 million Catholic high school on the former Radclyffe Lower School site, Broadway, Chadderton. Open November, 2012.

:: Extensive rebuild at North Chadderton to bring the school onto one site in Chadderton Hall Road. Open February, 2013.


UNDER REVIEW

:: Oldham Oasis Academy new building at Brook Mill, Hollinwood. Open June 2012.

:: Waterhead Academy new building at Orb Mill, Waterhead, open October 2012.

:: Oldham Academy North new building at current Our Lady’s High School site, Royton. Open March, 2013.