What the Politicians say

Ward Councillors
e-mailed request for opinion 20/07/07: text is here

	Cllr. David Conway Burslem North Labour david.conway@stoke.gov.uk
Cllr. Conway has said that he is opposed to closure of Haywood High.
	Cllr. Jean Edwards Burslem North Labour jean.edwards@stoke.gov.uk
Over the years the school as worked with the Community who have been proud to be associated with the school. The residents have seen their children and grandchildren grow within a school to be proud of. The community, through its residents associations, are strongly supporting the school to remain open and that it stays on the original site. To close the school and reopen it on another site would leave a gaping hole in the community and the school would struggle to be accepted on any other site than the Haywood Road area where it has grown and been supported over the years. When Nigel Rigby ran education in the city, I sat on this school’s governing body when the BSF money was discussed. The promise was made that some of that money would be spent here to refurbish this school by adding another layer on top and having an extended school. This school is at the heart of the community - fantastic teaching, pupils happy, community happy. We’re making a plea that this school stays here. The land across the road is Acreswood, not Bank Top as the site visit was supposed to be. To develop that land will take a large chunk of the money you’ve got, because of the levels and methane. Do we need to hear more than parent and student views to convince us?
	Cllr. Joy Garner Burslem North Labour joy.garner@stoke.gov.uk
I don’t want to see the school moved from this site, but we would love to see a brand new school on this site (clapping and cheering from floor). It’s true that with bad teachers in a good school, nothing’s going to change. With good teachers in a magnificent school, fantastic things happen. I question the figures, when we know we’re attracting people from commuter belts - when we talk about 15 and 20 years away, we’ll have a bigger problem and we need to think for the future. Bycars Field and Dimensions are there to be used. Why can’t we rebuild on the same site? We’ve done it before, and that’s what I think we should do.
	Cllr. Debra Gratton Burslem South Labour debra.gratton@stoke.gov.uk
Cllr. Gratton has attended Hands off Haywood High meetings.
	Cllr. Peter Kent-Baguley Chell and Packmoor The Potteries Alliance peter.kent-baguley@stoke.gov.uk
I am totally opposed to the closure. Haywood High has a good academic record, a good recent Ofsted report, excellent social relationships, an excellent record on citizenship education, and has the student numbers. Contrary to Serco's assertion, there is the space for more new buildings; in fact students have been involved in a detailed research project re. building a tower for classrooms and observation work. See also: http://www.readmyday.co.uk/pkb entries for: Sunday 1st July 2007 Wednesday 4th July 2007 Friday 6th July 2007 Wednesday 11th July 2007 Wednesday 25th July 2007 etc.
	Cllr. Ted Owen Burslem South The Potteries Alliance ted.owen@stoke.gov.uk
Cllr. Owen has expressed his verbal support for the Hands off Haywood High campaign. He apologised for his lack of proficiency in using computers!