Parents demand action on school

Saddleworth School

A COUNCIL letter has spurred fresh anger among frustrated parents demanding immediate action to build a new £19.2 million secondary school.

Oldham Council distributed a borough-wide secondary schools admissions letter which has to be completed and returned by October 31.

But exasperated parents, uncertain of issues surrounding the location and building timelines of the new Saddleworth School, say the letter has acted "like a red rag to a bull".

More than 500 protesters have already signed a new online petition launched by the Saddleworth Parents protest group, demanding instant action over building the school.

And today, Thirza Dixon, speaking the on behalf of the group, said: "The council letter arrived when the new Saddleworth School build project is under review following the planning process being taken to Judicial Review by the Save Diggle Action Group.

"Saddleworth Parents tempers are fraying, and after more than eight years of waiting for a new school, local mums and dads are getting increasingly angry," she said.

"Many reports point to the demand for school places is set to increase substantially.

"Currently, the combined Saddleworth wards have 15 primary schools, and one secondary school ­- the now well-documented Saddleworth School.

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"The other closest catchment secondary schools are Waterhead Academy, Mossley Hollins Secondary School, and church school, Blue Coat Oldham.

"Every parent is aware with school places at a premium, not getting your choice of school is becoming a more widespread problem.

"However, the school admissions letter heightened frustration from Saddleworth parents looking to complete the process before the October deadline."

Local mother of two, Kay Clayton said: "So I'm going to be applying to send my daughter to a dump?"

Another concerned parent, Caroline Dorrington said: "I am not sending my children just anywhere!

"If Saddleworth and Oldham Council can't provide a local secondary school to the children that live here, then we and many of my friends, have said we would have no choice but to move away."

And an Uppermill parent who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We haven't mentioned anything to our daughter yet as she would be devastated.

"She was born here, has lived in Saddleworth all her life, all her friends are here. But the current Saddleworth School building is not somewhere I am prepared to send her.

"I understand the teaching is excellent ­- but the building is slowly turning into a death trap."

Respected local estate agent Alan Kirkham, said: "There is clear evidence property values everywhere are affected by the availability of a good school.

"The uncertainty over Saddleworth School will influence people whether to move in to, or indeed out, of the area.

"A good, fit for purpose local school is a big influencing factor for many people, " he added.

The parents group say Saddleworth School has been identified as one of the poorest school buildings in the UK.

Local resident and group member, Lucy Clarke said: "This is hugely important for the whole future of the Saddleworth area.

"We need a new school. My eldest daughter is in year 7 and the staff at the school are fabulous ­- It's so unfair that they have to struggle on in this terrible building while the politics roll on ? Get it built!"

Now Saddleworth Parents are urging locals to join their campaign which can be seen online at Change.org.

There is also a Saddleworth Parents Facebook page which regularly receiving daily visits from over 2,000 people.

Visit their Facebook: www.facebook.com/saddleworthparents Online Petition: Saddleworth School: Stop the delay. Find a Way.