Robert Marshall-Andrews

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Member of Parliament and Minister intervene in order to achieve resolution in schools dispute

Following serious concerns expressed by parents and staff at Chapter and Temple Schools concerning the Council’s proposals for the management of the move to Academy status, Bob Marshall-Andrews MP and Lord Adonis (Schools Minister) held an urgent meeting last Friday with Council representatives.  The result has been an agreement, in principle, which will allow the gradual merger between the schools whilst retaining the strengths of both and, in particular, to acknowledge the exceptional results recorded by Chapter School in a recent Ofsted report.  Key to the new proposals is a massive investment (£24 million) by the Government on the Chapter site to provide a first class Academy and the gradual assimilation of boys into a co-educational structure on a year by year basis.  This will begin with the first year 7 in 2009.

Bob Marshall-Andrews said: “There was a grave danger that this extraordinary opportunity for generations of children in Strood would be overshadowed by the legitimate anger and concern felt by entirely reasonable parents at the speed and method of integration.  I believe that this new plan , fully approved by the Minister of State, will allow  gradual assimilation over a period of three to four years into the new Academy providing world class education to a very high standard.  We now have cause for real celebration for the future of education in Strood.”

Bob Marshall-Andrews also paid tribute to the efforts of both Chapter (SOCK) and Temple parents and the staff who had campaigned vigorously to achieve this outcome.  He also praised the excellent work that had been done by Labour Councillors Bill Esterson, Stephen Hubbard and Teresa Murray during this difficult time.