Lack Of Secondary School Places To Be Discussed

Swale Borough Councillors are set to be discussing the lack of options for secondary school places in Sittingbourne and Sheppey at the next round of area committee meetings.

At the Sittingbourne and Sheppey meetings, councillors will receive an introductory paper from Swale Council Leader, Roger Truelove, a statement from Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, and a presentation from Marisa White, Area Education Officer at Kent County Council (KCC) outlining how the provision of secondary schools can be improved.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader at the council, said: “We know education is not a borough council service, but elected members are well aware of the distress caused to families because of the shortage of secondary school places in Swale. This year, many youngsters have been allocated spaces at schools that were not their first choice. As an authority wishing to see progress in our local economy, we want to see an expansion of skills to help young people access good jobs in Swale. The provision of vocational schooling is important to us, and although perspectives will be different in our different areas, we fully support the possibility of a new school in north west Sittingbourne. It is also important that young people have more choice on the Isle of Sheppey.

He went on to add: “Everybody is welcome at the area committee meetings, they are a forum for the public to have their say on local issues that are important to them. I encourage anybody who is affected by this issue to come and join us.”

Upcoming area committee meetings:

Tuesday 7th September

Kemsley Hall

Sittingbourne

7:00pm                                                            

Tuesday 14th September

Minster Working Men’s Club

Sheppey

7:00pm