Children still suffering in silence

Royton and Crompton School: not fit for purpose

THE Government has been blasted for not saying how much it will put towards rebuilding or refurbishing crumbling Royton and Crompton School — a year after it announced it was to get money.

Ministers said in February 2015 that the Blackshaw Lane school would benefit from the Priority School Funding Programme.

But deputy council leader Abdul Jabbar said Oldham Council had still not been told what it would get to help fund the work - and whether this would be to rebuild, partially rebuild or replace the school.

Speaking at Thursday’s cabinet meeting he said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that our children should be taught in a school that’s not fit for purpose. We are ready to start the work as soon as we know what the Government grant is going to be.”

Royton and Crompton was left out when the coalition government pulled the plug on Labour’s £55bn Building Schools for the Future Programme. Royton was also turned down by the Priority School Funding Programme in 2012 — when Saddleworth School was successful — before being told it would get money last year.