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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 07/06/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1
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Why is it taking the council so long to reach a decision about re-building the school. Building was supposed to start in July 2007. The children are still attempting to learn in cramped, unsatisfactory conditions. The pathways within the school grounds are too narrow for the volumes of children and parents who need to access the site, as are the pavements along Churchfields. Both schools are fabulous for the children but are being let down by the Council's apparent inability to set a date.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 12/12/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,025
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Dear ktaylor,
This is a response from the Premises and Planning team:
While it is correct that the scheme to replace Churchfields Junior has been under consideration for some time, the council has a duty to ensure that value for money is achieved. The time has been needed to ensure that the procurement of the new buildings is both a good solution for the school and offers the best value for its investment. It should be noted that the Redbridge Conversation item includes the replacement of the Infant school as well as the Junior.
Regards
Redimanager
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 18/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 6
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Whilst understanding the need for the Council to get "value for money", the rebuild saga has been dragging on now for some 2 years since the structural survey concluded that the Junior school was beyond repair / no longer fit for purpose for a modern school and that therefore total redevelopment on the existing site was the only feasible option. As I understand it, the original plans for the Junior school came in over budget and the design was subsequently revised - the revised proposal was then presented at the school nearly a year ago with the promise of starting work imminently. In terms of design, I was disappointed to see that (as is presently the case) there would no be a school hall large enough to accommodate the whole school at the same time. As part of the school redevp I would like to see a multi purpose hall built for dual use by the school and the community - in much the same way as the St Aubyns or Woodford High sports halls are used. In my view this would represent sensible and prudent use of scarce reources in helping to provide much needed indoor sports / leisure facilities in Church End.
This has dragged on long enough - indeed it looks like another construction period window of opportunity (this years 6 week summer holiday) is going to be missed. Clearly work is not going to start on construction of a new Infants' school & nursery unit at Churchfields until the new Junior School has been completed. The way things are going the new schools might just be ready in time for my grandchildren - as opposed to my children who are currently at the 2 Churchfield Schools. Meanwhile, it is the children and of course the teaching staff who are the ones who suffer - forced to operate in sub standard buildings / conditions. Quite apart from the uncertainty caused, it is difficult for the respective Governing Bodies to sensibly plan ahead in terms of approving expenditure on facilities and equipment for the benefit of the children currently at the schools. In view of all this, it is a credit to the teaching staff and leadership of the respective Heads that both schools continue to perform so well.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 16/04/2007(UTC)
Posts: 66
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I think Ken Bean has given a reasonably accurate summary of the position. The basic problem seems to have been that the estimates for the re-building have come in well above the budget and various attempts have been mde to scale down the costs. In some cases this seems to be at the expense of the facilities to be provided.
Planning permission was granted some time ago. The Governors and the ward Councillors are all keen for the work to be undertaken as soon as possible, provided that the disruption to children attending the schools is kept to a minimum.
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 20/04/2008(UTC)
Posts: 8
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Hope someone will post an update here following next week's full council meeting when this topic should be on the table. Keeping fingers crossed for good news.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 01/10/2007(UTC)
Posts: 124
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There isn't anything on the agenda that has been tabled for the Council meeting concerning Churchfields School, as far as I can see - unless the intention is to table an urgent item
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 20/04/2008(UTC)
Posts: 8
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well cllr Bond that IS depressing news. The Governors' letter which announced this delay to the parents concludes that this matter will be discussed at the next full meeting of the council in September.
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 20/04/2008(UTC)
Posts: 8
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To all interested Parents/Carers of children at Churchfields school - please take heed that a parent at the school has begun a petition for parents/carers to register their concern to the council at this delay to the rebuild of the school. Over the next few days a couple of parents will be armed with pen, petition and clipboard at the school gates during the normal crush hours. Please drop by.
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 12/09/2008(UTC)
Posts: 8
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BBC news site today http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7722119.stm
But will Redbridge use any of this? I see new schools--primaryand secondary being built in neighbouring boroughs and they look like great learning environments. redbridge not only keeps 19th century buildings like Churchfields, but places like Woodbridge which this week has been under threat of flooding yet again and internally looks to be in fairly poor condition.
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