In a state of disrepair

IN LESS than a week's time children will be enjoying their summer holidays.

But for headteachers it could turn into one long headache as they worry about the state of Swindon's schools.

A month ago the Advertiser reported that Swindon ranked 142nd out of 150 local authorities in the country in terms of quality and condition of schools.

And with a new school year looming the situation looks not much better.

One primary school has closed its reception class toilets since the roof caved in at the end of January, and at an infants school pupils will be forced to put on their coats and brave icy conditions just to go to the bathroom.

A report to the Education Partnership Board on June 19 stated that the backlog in repairs was equivalent to £1,742 per pupil, meaning the total cost of repairs is estimated at £51 million.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said attempts were being made to solve the problem.

But he warned there was no magic wand.

He said: "We are trying to take every opportunity to find whatever money we can to spend on school buildings. But we have got no magic wand.

"Even if the borough was able to borrow £50 million then we would have to pay £6 million a year in interest.

"We are working with (Local Education Authority's director of education) Hilary Pitts and seeing whether there is any way we can get central government money."

The LEA is understood to be in the process of preparing a list detailing the priority of all school repairs.

Michael Keeling, who is head of Even Swindon Infant School and chairman of the Swindon Association of Primary Heads said: "This is a problem that has been around for years and years.

"We are pleased the LEA is beginning to get to grips with it but we do want to see some urgency.

"We want to see work beginning to be done.

"I don't think the money is there at the moment though and that is the big issue."