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15 January 2020
Vol 27 l Issue 3
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FUNDING PLEA AT SCHOOL WHERE PUPILS HAVE TO WEAR COATS IN CLASS
INSIDE THIS WEEK...
MP tells Commons that spending money to mend leaky roofs will just be a ‘sticking plaster’ and that new building is urgently needed
Film-maker on Oscar shortlist
Report by Henry James
A PLEA for the government to invest in a new building at a primary school in Lydiate has been made by MP Bill Esterson after he was shocked to discover pupils had to wear coats in class to keep warm. The Sefton Central visited Lydiate Primary School, as it welcomed pupils on Monday, January 6 after it had been closed since November 22 due to health and safety concerns with reports that pieces of concrete had been falling off the roof. The children spent the last few weeks of the autumn term at Maghull High School. It is understood that £400,000 will be spent on repairs in the coming months but the MP said this will just be a “sticking plaster”. He told students and staff that he was shocked to hear they had been wearing coats in the classroom in order to stay warm and took the campaign for a new building direct to Westminster after promising pupils he would fight to get them “safe, warm and dry” classrooms. During Questions to the Leader Of The House of Commons in Parliament last week, the MP said: “Lydiate Primary School is in desperate need of a new building. “Governors are doing all they can to make do but it is simply not economically viable to continue. “The school desperately needs funding for a new build. “The children are wearing coats in the classroom to keep warm. This is completely unacceptable. I am told there are leaks in the roof and damp.
Established 41 Years
MP Bill Esterson with staff and pupils from Lydiate Primary School
“When the children were moved out to Maghull High School temporarily they were amazed at not having to wear their outdoor coats. “Spending £400,000 on a range of sticking plaster repairs will be money down the drain. “It is simply not acceptable that the children and staff have to put up with leaks, with concrete falling off the walls and plaster falling off the ceiling. “The wiring needs to be replaced while energy bills are absurdly high because of the poor insulation. But this will only delay the inevitable. It needs a new build. “The damp throughout the school is a danger to the health of pupils and staff.” Mr Esterson has asked to meet the Education Secretary
over the issue. Lydiate Primary headteacher Georgina Forshaw said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Esterson in to our school and the children had the opportunity to ask an MP some great questions from Brexit to football. “Mr Esterson has been saddened to hear we had to temporarily move out of our school due to concerns with our school building and is keen to raise the issue of school funding in parliament.” Chair of Governors Claire Moore added: “It’s incredibly reassuring to know we have the support of our MP in lobbying central government for the funding we need to ensure that the school building in which we teach our wonderful children is fit for the 21st century.”
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