THE PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL
OR "AH NOO SKULE" (as recently overheard...)
For some time now, there has been talk, rumours, innuendo, jokes, gossip and grapevine, regarding the proposed relocation of Sissinghurst Primary School. (a CEP one no less!). The Board of Governors have deemed that the existing facilities can no longer cater for the requirements of the present school curriculum. Activities like Motor Cycle Maintenance, Brick Laying and Plastering Seminars, Scaffolding Erection and particularly Field Ploughing Courses have long since outgrown the limited size of the School Hall and Classrooms. (This has been especially noticeable during lunch hours when the Dinner Ladies regularly complain about engine oil stains on the tables and the accumulation of dust and tyre tracks in the kitchen following a strenuous driving session on the Head's tractor.). Thus it has been decided to shift the lot, lock stock and milk crates to a new site "somewhere" in the Village.
A recent meeting, widely advertised on almost every lamp post in The Street (wherever
they are...) was held in the School Hall to discuss the proposed location and subsequent
building timescales. After a very short brief on the location of the new buildings
(brief enough to bypass the attention of even the most ardent NIMBY and BANANA -
There then followed a lively discussion on the proposed location (clearly some were
listening!), why other locations weren't considered viable (never did get a proper
answer on that one....) and the likely effect it would have on the surrounding population.
(That part was more thought about than spoken -
Noticeably absent from the proceedings, were the majority of parents whose kids already attend the school at present. Strange...
For those not already in the know, here's a map showing the proposed new location.
Accuracy to the nearest metre is not guaranteed and as I can't draw to save my life,
it's certainly not to scale and is only from memory. However, you can see where you
are roughly in relation to where plans suggest. We were told (somewhat after the
event) that plans were briefly available for perusal in the Parish Rooms -
Have recently seen the following Planning Notice in the "Courier" printed on 4th August '06. If you have anything to say, now's your opportunity. (This of course is now out of date, but is retained purely for background information)
The following letter recently received is self-
ROUND TWO HAS ARRIVED!!!
PLEASE NOTE THIS LETTER WAS DATED 19TH JULY 2007. YOU HAVE ONLY 21 DAYS IN WHICH TO HAVE YOUR SAY. FROM WHAT CAN BE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE VILLAGE, NOT MUCH INFORMATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED. THE LESS PEOPLE KNOW, THE LESS OBJECTIONS RECEIVED PERHAPS?
SEPTEMBER ‘07 UPDATE.
QUOTE FROM THE “PLANNING & PRESERVATION MANAGEMENT”:-
(Heard of them? Neither have we!)
“SISSINGHURST NEW SCHOOL
The planning application for the new school in Common Road has been to this committee twice now and we have made no objections — but we have made several suggestions and hope that KCC, who will make the decision, will look carefully at our ideas and concerns. We would like to see a pavement from the new school all the way up Common Road to A229. We are concerned at the speed of traffic as it comes round the corner and down the hill towards Sissinghurst. We would like to see the school available for community use outside school hours.
It has been suggested that Sissinghurst is building a large school with the intention of attracting children from neighbouring schools. We did not agree with this suggestion. The new school is for the same number of children as the existing (incidentally the number has remained the same for around 15 years) and is very much needed. We agree that it is not acceptable for the children all to be housed in mobile classrooms as is presently the case.
We are very aware that people are fearful that the move to Common Road will tear the heart out of the village — we just hope that something imaginative can be done with the old school site that will retain the heart where it should be — at the centre of the village.”
COMMENT
Aside from the obvious question concerning the identities of the Royal “WE”, this particular “we” would like to raise the spectre of Mumsies on their twice daily motorised trips to the School delivering their little “Johnnies & Janies” with their usual disregard of where and how they park. It may be fine in the mornings with the “drop and go” from the School parking area, but consider the same thing in reverse when they all turn up together to collect their loved ones after school finishes. Not too many state school parking facilities could cope with that.... Get your cones out folks!!
We too are concerned about the speed of traffic down Common Road. It will take more than a footpath to slow that down! Even our dear old “Arrivaderci Roamers” don’t exactly hang about.
We also have serious reservations regarding the use of the School for community activities.
All very fine sentiment. Evening Courses on a variety of subjects? -
So the new school appears to be catering for virtually the same number of children
as at present. Yes, the mobile classrooms are not acceptable, and yes,we have an
imaginative idea for the old school -
We doubt very much if that would tear anyone’s heart out.....