THURROCK Tories were adamant that the blame for the failed Building Schools for the Future (BSF) was to be laid squarely at the door of the Labour government.
The topic was among several educational challenges that the ruling Tories discussed as council officers presented their “Review of School Improvement”
The report highlighted the vast gap in achievement where the borough’s Key Stage 2 results are ranked 149/151 in the country while the Key Stage 4 results are ranked 8/151.
The cabinet agreed to appoint an interim Head of School Improvement to communicate a “compelling vision of aspiration and expectation.”
Deputy Leader Amanda Arnold challenged the government to help the borough recruit more Primary Heads.
She said: “You have to be in cloud-cuckoo land if you think that we are going to retain or attract Heads when London-weighting is available just a few miles away.
“We should be exerting pressure on the government for help.”
Portfolio Holder Sue MacPherson announced that the council have been advised to re-submit their bid for the BSF programme.
At this point, Cllr Arnold expressed her frustration at the process.
She said: “With a bid costing £250k, the bidding system must be a nice little earner for the government.”
