THURROCK Council’s plans for spending on schools was set out at Wednesday (17 December) evening’s meeting of the cabinet.
Council Leader and education portfolio holder, Cllr John Kent, said: “It’s no secret how important education in Thurrock is to this council and to me personally.
“It is the key to our successful future and that’s why it gives me pleasure to introduce this report tonight.
He explained: “At the start of our term in office we introduced the common sense idea of having proper pupil-place planning and our capital programme – the money we spend on schools – is dictated by the needs identified in that plan.”
Cllr Kent said that two years ago the council “identified 15 projects that were needed”, nine in primaries, one at a special school and five at secondaries, all but one – the Tilbury Pioneer Academy – are complete.”
He explained that the council had looked at filling the need for a new school places in West Thurrock or west Grays.
He said: “Our first thought was for it to be built in the west of Grays, but that didn’t prove feasible, and we’ve worked closely with an existing academy trust, the Department for Education and the Education Funding Agency so that the latest plan has been signed off by government and a grant is being negotiated.
“The Purfleet Primary Academy is also in need of expansion and again co-operative talks have brought forward a project … and so the story goes on; a brand new school in Purfleet as part of the exciting developments there, and works for the Arthur Buglar amalgamation for example.
“All I really want to say is that getting the best education possible for every child in Thurrock is our aim, and part of that has to be ensuring those children have the best possible classes and schools.
“As ever, we’re not quite there yet, but we are undoubtedly on the right path, perhaps not as fast as we want, but we are getting there.”
