Councillors Call For The Best School For Grove

3.23.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrat Councillors representing Grove and Wantage on both County and District Councils addressed the Vale of White Horse District Council's Executive on Friday, calling on them to fully support the provision of a new school for Grove through their involvement in the planning of the new housing in the village.

Liberal Democrats have campaigned for many years for a separate school with its own sixth form and they have last week welcomed the County Council's commitment to work towards this. The Tory County Council previously only committed to a small school catering for children between 11 and 16 for the community but, following the Lib Dem call-in of the County Cabinet decision this week, senior Tories conceded on the need for an 11-19 school in the future.

Cllrs Jim Moley and Zoe Patrick addressed the Vale's Executive to urge them to work together with the County Council to ensure that the best possible school can be provided for Grove. The Leader of the Vale, Cllr Jerry Patterson, welcomed their comments and assured them that the Vale would seek the best possible outcome for Grove residents.

Cllr Zoe Patrick said: "I urged the Vale's Executive to work closely with developers to ensure that enough land is provided for the new school to allow it to expand to achieve its full potential as soon as possible. Residents in Grove have welcomed this school and they want to see the greatest benefit delivered for our children. A good school will provide an important focal point for the whole community."

Cllr Jim Moley said: "In the past we have successfully argued for two important MORI-type polls of local residents, both of which clearly called for two separate schools for Wantage and Grove. I am delighted that the County Council has now recognised the clearly expressed wishes of residents for their own school for Grove - and a full-sized one for all ages between 11 and 19. I hope we will see the new school take shape as soon as possible."