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Wednesday, 22 May 2013

'The Heights' Free School gets the Go Ahead!

The Heights
I was thrilled to hear the wonderful news that The Heights primary free school has been given the Department for Education's backing to open in September 2014.

The school will serve the local area in the west of Caversham including all of Mapledurham Ward, Caversham Heights, for which I am the local councillor.

At last families in my Ward will have a realistic chance of getting a local primary school place.  Every year parents are disappointed because they are unable to get their child into their designated local school.  They have been forced into their cars to drive their children to schools on the other side of Caversham or even out of the Reading Borough.

I'm especially pleased for Ruth, Polly, Susan and the other parents who have worked so hard on the bid to get to this point.  Their dedication and commitment is inspirational and I look forward to helping them get the school up and running for next September.

My colleague Cllr Tim Harris, Leader of the Conservative Group said, "This is fabulous news and I congratulate the parents involved who have been supported throughout by Cllr Isobel Ballsdon and Reading East MP Rob Wilson.  They have embraced the opportunity provided by the Conservative-led Government's reforms and galvanised local support for their Free School bid.  They have achieved what the Labour Council over the last decade has failed to deliver: a new school for Caversham."

When more details are known I will post again, though do also check The Heights' website too!

Update: The WREN bid for a new secondary Free School to serve West Reading has also been successful!  For further information check their website:  Wren School

Further Update: You can watch ITV coverage of The Heights parent group, parents from the WREN group and others in an article filmed yesterday (22 May) after the announcement by following this link