Council buys family home for school expansion (From Southend Standard)

Sounds like waffle to me ......

This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

By purchasing it, it gives us the flexibility if Sacred Heart wishes to extend in the future. “As with many of our schools, Sacred Heart is landlocked.

as long as they don't need a Navy I don't see the problem.....

Perhaps Southend Council will consider buying up unoccupied housing in the borough to cover the shortfall in their housing stock.

Olivia2847 wrote:
Sounds like waffle to me ......

My granddaughter attends Sacred Heart.

Last night the head teacher sent a note home with all pupils advising parents to ignore the report in the Echo about council plans to extend the school. She says that although there's a need for more Catholic places within the borough there are NO plans to increase size and ends by writing 'Obviously the school would be the first to know of any proposals and we would advise parents as soon as possible of any such information'.

So the council's lashed out a six figure sum on a compulsory purchase without consulting the school, without making its plans public and without seeking member approval.

I thought Castle Point was a dodgy council - but not the only one it seems.

marshman wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:
Sounds like waffle to me ......

My granddaughter attends Sacred Heart.

Last night the head teacher sent a note home with all pupils advising parents to ignore the report in the Echo about council plans to extend the school. She says that although there's a need for more Catholic places within the borough there are NO plans to increase size and ends by writing 'Obviously the school would be the first to know of any proposals and we would advise parents as soon as possible of any such information'.

So the council's lashed out a six figure sum on a compulsory purchase without consulting the school, without making its plans public and without seeking member approval.

I thought Castle Point was a dodgy council - but not the only one it seems.

Tail wagging the dog? Oh dodgy ! Mea culpa......

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

i think the council have there own plans for school expansion.. by the sounds of it the plan is wrote on the back of a fag packet and is locked in a filing cabinet at the civic centre..

oh, and what an excellent idea.. expand the faith schools. that's all we need. more over privileged kids receiving a pseudo-religious, disproportionately resourced education.

that will do Southend council, that'll do.

If the school gets its funding from the local council then they have no choice but to extend (yes governors will be consulted and briefed but if LA finded don't have a choice). There is a real need to build a new school in Southend but there is no land available. I believe all local schools are increasing capacity for a three year baby bulge - what happens then I wonder......if last years figures are anything to go by then it is not a three year bulge but a long term problem.

jayman wrote:
i think the council have there own plans for school expansion.. by the sounds of it the plan is wrote on the back of a fag packet and is locked in a filing cabinet at the civic centre..

oh, and what an excellent idea.. expand the faith schools. that's all we need. more over privileged kids receiving a pseudo-religious, disproportionately resourced education.

that will do Southend council, that'll do.

Why are they over privileged Jayman? Religion and faith are personal choices surely - I agree with you but choice has to be allowed to be an option here stemming from The Education Act. The overall strategy is a disgrace I agree - fag packet and mushroom management I accept - why is it disproportionate ?

nigeltheduck wrote:
If the school gets its funding from the local council then they have no choice but to extend (yes governors will be consulted and briefed but if LA finded don't have a choice). There is a real need to build a new school in Southend but there is no land available. I believe all local schools are increasing capacity for a three year baby bulge - what happens then I wonder......if last years figures are anything to go by then it is not a three year bulge but a long term problem.

Plenty of brown field sites Nigel - look around?

jayman wrote:
i think the council have there own plans for school expansion.. by the sounds of it the plan is wrote on the back of a fag packet and is locked in a filing cabinet at the civic centre..

oh, and what an excellent idea.. expand the faith schools. that's all we need. more over privileged kids receiving a pseudo-religious, disproportionately resourced education.

that will do Southend council, that'll do.

Where do you get over privileged kids from my two Grandaughters attend this school and so did my Grandson who all come from a normal working class family.

marshman wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:
Sounds like waffle to me ......

My granddaughter attends Sacred Heart.

Last night the head teacher sent a note home with all pupils advising parents to ignore the report in the Echo about council plans to extend the school. She says that although there's a need for more Catholic places within the borough there are NO plans to increase size and ends by writing 'Obviously the school would be the first to know of any proposals and we would advise parents as soon as possible of any such information'.

So the council's lashed out a six figure sum on a compulsory purchase without consulting the school, without making its plans public and without seeking member approval.

I thought Castle Point was a dodgy council - but not the only one it seems.

Oh come on Marshman bit of stretch to suggest that Southend Council is as dodgy as Castle Point.

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no?
Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes?
If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built?
Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no?
Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes?
If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built?
Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

You are going around in circles ....

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no?
Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes?
If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built?
Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

You are going around in circles ....

Well judging by the posts I am not the only one confused.

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no?
Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes?
If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built?
Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

You are going around in circles ....

Well judging by the posts I am not the only one confused.

I only came out to buy a bag of sugar .....

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote: This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms? Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary? there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is! i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no? Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes? If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built? Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

You are going around in circles ....

Well judging by the posts I am not the only one confused.

I only came out to buy a bag of sugar .....

Try the Tesco just down the road from the school. It's a 24/7 I think ...

marshman wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote: This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms? Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary? there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is! i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no? Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes? If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built? Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

You are going around in circles ....

Well judging by the posts I am not the only one confused.

I only came out to buy a bag of sugar .....

Try the Tesco just down the road from the school. It's a 24/7 I think ...

Ideal place for a school on a brownfield site so they could put Sacred Heart and St Bernard's together - now where's that trough ...

Olivia2847 wrote:

nigeltheduck wrote:
If the school gets its funding from the local council then they have no choice but to extend (yes governors will be consulted and briefed but if LA finded don't have a choice). There is a real need to build a new school in Southend but there is no land available. I believe all local schools are increasing capacity for a three year baby bulge - what happens then I wonder......if last years figures are anything to go by then it is not a three year bulge but a long term problem.

Plenty of brown field sites Nigel - look around?

Great - if there are plenty of brown field sites in central Southend please let the council know where as they are on the lookout! A school is urgently need in the the central area - there are no sites available hence all schools who are being made to admit larger numbers now are likely to have to make this the norm. Of and the school needs to be fairly big not a mere 1 form entry!

Nigel - Victoria Avenue ffs! Anyway having woken up I realise that Catholic schools are under a remit from the Diocese aren't they?

nigeltheduck wrote:
If the school gets its funding from the local council then they have no choice but to extend (yes governors will be consulted and briefed but if LA finded don't have a choice). There is a real need to build a new school in Southend but there is no land available. I believe all local schools are increasing capacity for a three year baby bulge - what happens then I wonder......if last years figures are anything to go by then it is not a three year bulge but a long term problem.

The only reason that there is no land to build on is because the LEA keeps on selling school grounds off!! How about the office blocks in Victoria Avenue? That'll keep the fattest kid healthy by making them use the stairs.

School expansion has always been badly handled by SBC. ie why put a teachers centre at Blenheim when school places were needed. When selling off playing fields for housing (greed) when extensions could have been built if we must lose more green space.
What I wonder is when all the green space is gone will the heritage centres and museums show pictures of what parks and playing fields used to look like?

John T Pharro wrote:

Olivia2847 wrote:

chunkus04 wrote:

John T Pharro wrote:
This seems extraordinary when all the emphasis that houses are needed a school plans to buy 6 perfectly good houses to turn into a school. What next knock them down to build extra class rooms?
Surely something else could have been done without loosing much needed homes.

why is this extraordiary?
there is no point in having more houses if we have not got enough school places to cope with our population as it is!

i think it makes perfect sense....

We have enough school places but Catholics may wish to choose their own - is OLL School over or under subscribed ditto St George's? A sweeping statement that has to be justified JTP?

Sweeping statement how? Houses are needed in Southend yes or no?
Read Marshman's post please. How does that stack up with a need to buy houses for school purposes?
If an extra school is required in Southend why is one not being built?
Are you saying Southend has enough houses? Makes no sense to me to buy and possible demolish perfectly good houses if houses are needed now.

Southend has enough houses. It is just that there are too many people. And if you think this baby boom is bad, just wait until we have power cuts in a few years.

Crickey! All sensible heads on today! Do the council have powers to compulsory purchase or buy to let properties that have remained empty for a certain period of time?