ANGRY parents have demanded answers from the Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle Price over the postponed opening of the Harris Academy Secondary Free School whilst politicians have accused her of ‘failing to deliver."
Just under 90 children were set to start at the free school in September. That was until Thursday when the government announced that the Sept opening date would be postponed.
Among the comments by disappointed parents were: "The whole school situations is a complete mess! Parents only found out on Saturday that the school won’t be opening."
Whilst some just want simple answers: " What happened to the new secondary school we were promised would open in 2015 in Chafford Hundred?"
It appears that the school went ahead and offered the places before it had actually secured any land. YT understands that land that was targeted in the South Stifford area was snapped up by another company.
Ms Doyle Price said on twitter: "The land was sold at the eleventh hour to Proctor and Gamble. We will deliver the school next year. Labour would cancel it altogether."
Many may want to know what they were doing, offering places, when they had not secured the land?
In the light of her tweet, many will be interested to hear more about her guarantee that "We will deliver the school next year."
YT understands that a meeting with disappointed parents is set to take place on Tuesday March 10th.
Meanwhile, many of the parents will have received letters offering them alternative schools including Ormiston Park Academy, Hathaway Academy, Hassenbrook and Grays Convent.
The prospective parliamentary candidate for Thurrock, Polly Billington has made her feelings clear on the matter.
Ms Billington said: "“Parents have been let down by their Tory MP who has promised and failed to deliver: Even worse she has claimed victory before it was signed and sealed. I fear the result will be a Labour council having to clear up a mess made by the Tories.”
YT sent a series of questions to Ms Doyle Price, the shadow portfolio holder for education, cllr James Halden and the two South Chafford councillors, cllrs Tunde Ojetola and Charlie Key.
Cllr Charlie Key said: "I feel a huge amount of disappointment on behalf of the children and parents who have recently received the news regarding the new Harris Secondary School."
"The issue of school places is one that I have been fighting for since before I was elected on the council, and regrettably it appears the annual lottery and disappointment that many children and parents have to endure will continue."
"Every step of the way the local Conservatives have been at the forefront of the fight for more school places on Chafford Hundred. From the campaign for extra primary places that is coming to fruition in the next few weeks and months, to the provision of more secondary places in the Chafford Hundred/West Thurrock area. Your local Conservatives have been leading the fight to ensure all children have a school place in their local area."
"My priority now is this – doing everything a councillor can to ensure that the children affected can find another suitable school place in time for the start of the new school year."
"Residents can contact me day and night on 07939 202683. Alternatively, I can be contact on [email protected]."
Cllr Ojetola pledged he will get back to us.
