Beith calls Minister to Despatch Box over state of our school buildings

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Oct 2007

Alan Beith challenged the Schools Minister to help our schools.

Lib Dem MP Alan Beith quizzed Schools Minister Jim Knight over the state of schools in the Berwick-upon-Tweed Constituency at an Adjournment Debate he secured in the House of commons on Tuesday 22 October.

Mr Beith called for the debate because he wanted to ask the Minister directly how Northumberland could be helped to make progress in improving school facilities, especially the "old, tired and out of date" buildings used by the Berwick High School and the "appalling" buildings at the Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.

Speaking specifically about Alnwick, Mr Beith outlined many of the severe problems experienced by staff and pupils as a result of the inadequacy of the buildings. He said

"In 2003, Ofsted drew attention to the difficulties caused by the buildings, particularly the Bailiffgate annexe. In its report, the inspectors gave a list of things that the school should do and one was to

"Improve the accommodation available by vigorously pursuing the ongoing review of the replacement or refurbishment of the Bailiffgate site."

"The school has vigorously pursued that, but there has still been no progress.

"Ofsted inspected the school again last week, so obviously I do not know what it will say this time. However, I will be surprised if it does not commend the school on the very good progress that it has made. I expect some positive features in the report, but I will be equally surprised if the report does not contain condemnation of the school's buildings and an indication that they are just not fit for purpose. Parents are very exercised by the problem. A recent parents' questionnaire attracted 400 replies and by far and away the main concern expressed was about the buildings."

Schools Minister Jim Knight replied

"I congratulate Mr. Beith on securing this debate and on the excellent way in which he put forward his argument. On my visit [to Woodhorn Museum twelve months ago], I saw his great concern for the standards of education.

"The Government have made a commitment to creating school buildings fit for 21st century teaching and learning.

"Well designed buildings, and good facilities where young people can learn and grow, are a vital foundation, so I understand the right hon. Gentleman's frustration as he waits. A well designed school can make a difference in simple but vital ways, as well as providing the right facilities for teaching and learning: imaginatively designed dining halls-hopefully larger than those he described-can encourage healthy eating; wider corridors can cut bullying; and classrooms with natural lighting and fresh air can help pupils' concentration and behaviour. Dark, dingy and decrepit buildings need to be condemned to the past, where they belong.

"In our major strategic programmes, such as "Building Schools for the Future", we have concentrated on those who most need it as determined by levels of deprivation and educational attainment.

"We will continue to provide funding direct to every school to spend on buildings and ICT as they see fit. Schools that have not yet been modernised will receive a higher rate, with modernised schools receiving a standard rate, which means that the Berwick High School in the right hon. Gentleman's constituency will receive funding at the higher rate. I am advised that it will get £90,000 and that the Duchess's Community school that he talked about will receive £126,000."

He added, in relation to Alnwick,

"I am advised that the council remains committed to delivering a solution to organisational and building issues in the town. Perhaps there is a combination of capital receipts that the council can realise in the medium term that it can then invest in resolving some of the issues. I will take an interest in the matter-the right hon. Gentleman consistently raises it with me. I still intend to visit Northumberland again during the next few months. I have not decided on the final programme because all sorts of people want me to visit all sorts of things, but I will not forget that I made a commitment to visit the Duchess's School, and if I possibly can, I will do so when I am in the area."

Speaking after the debate, Mr Beith said

"The Minister has given a great deal of facts and figures about the progress the Labour Government has made in improving schools across the country, but the debate focused specifically on schools in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency and I am disappointed he did not provide a firm commitment to help the County Council replace the old buildings with much needed new ones.

"The minister cannot claim that that Building Schools for the Future is targeted at areas which need it most, as determined by levels of deprivation and education attainment. The Duchess High School is located in Alnwick's Clayport ward which is in the 10% of most deprived wards in England, and Berwick High is also close to deprived wards. The staff and students at both schools work together to produce excellent results in appalling conditions, but because of their success and hard work, the levels of educational attainment are too high to put them near the front of the queue for capital funding.

"I welcome the fact that he has agreed to take a close personal interest in the Duchess School, and I will hold him to his promise to visit the Duchess's school to hear at first hand the concerns of the school's Head Teacher Maurice Hall, the staff and students, and to see for himself the severity of the accommodation problems.

"In his reply the Minister accepted that because of its special rural position and isolation, Berwick might be considered for an Academy even though it falls outside some of the normal criteria. Some academy projects in other areas have been controversial but if it proves a route to getting major investment in education and further education in Berwick then we need to consider it.

"I also welcome his indication that Northumberland can now bid for unspent money in the Building Schools for the Future programme but after the County Council has been turned down so many times we need to see positive results."

The full debate can be read online at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071023/debtext/71023-0018.htm, Commons Hansard, Tuesday 23 October 2008, Col. 259 et seq.