Burnham-On-Sea’s MP has this week called for a Minister’s help in resolving an “impasse” over “urgently needed repairs” to a roof at King Alfred School in Highbridge.
James Heappey brought up the issue during a House of Commons debate this week, saying: “The excellent Priory Multi-academy trust has been working with King Alfred School in Highbridge in my constituency since the school was placed in special measures.”
“They have made some very good progress, but the trust’s board of directors is nervous about formalising the sponsorship until urgently needed repairs have been completed at the school.”
“Will the Minister meet me, along with representatives of the trust and the school, so that we can resolve the impasse at the earliest opportunity?”
Nick Gibb, Minister of State at the Department for Education, responded: “Yes, of course; I will be delighted to meet my Honourable Friend to try to resolve that impasse. We are spending record amounts of capital on our school system: £23 billion in this period.”
Denise Hurr, head teacher, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The repairs to the roof are urgent as there are leaks when the rain is heavy. I am very happy that our local MP is so supportive of the improvements going on at our school.”
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here earlier this month that the school’s progress has been praised by Ofsted in a new monitoring report, but it has also identified several areas that require further improvement, saying that “leaders and managers are not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.”
Earlier this year, we reported here that the school had been rated as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in five areas, with one area rated as ‘requiring improvement’, placing it into ‘special measures’.
