These demands will be sent to Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services John Fisher, and we encourage residents to email a copy to Cllr Fisher too: John.Fisher.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk.
1. Independent investigation and explanation of why school building was allowed to become unsafe
2. Full reprovision of a purpose built junior school funded by Norfolk County Council
3. Parents of school and pre school age children affected to be fully involved in alternative provision in the interim and the design of the new school
4. If really not required for the school, no disposal or reuse of the junior school site without full consultation with the local community
5. Publication of all information about the school, school site and future plans to ensure the process is open and transparent
Sewell ward city councillor Matt Packer said:
“These five demands would give parents and our community the influence they deserve. This looks very unfair. Parents need answers. Why has this much loved and attractive school been allowed to become unsafe? Children’s education has been disrupted enough through the pandemic. Now they face even more upheaval.”
Sewell ward county councillor Julie Brociek-Coulton said:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Angel Road Junior School closed?
It seems the roof has sunk. The school closed when ceiling tiles started to fall off.
Why can’t it be repaired?
The sagging roof has pushed the walls out of true so the whole structure is unstable and can’t be repaired.
How was it allowed to get that way?
We understand Norfolk County Council who are responsible for the building have failed to maintain it properly and repair it before it was too late.
Why weren’t parents told of this sooner?
We will be asking the council and the school and so should parents. Councillors have been kept in the dark too. Information has been lacking, selective and hard to extract.
What about the proposal to build a new school on the first school site?
We understand this is not a new school but additional modular classrooms. It is the responsibility of the county council to build new schools but there is no sign of any new school funding in their plans or recognition there should be. The academy trust is apparently picking up the bill for the extra classrooms which is unusual. It feels like a second rate solution that is cheap for the county council but has not been properly explained.
What happens to the junior school building?
School buildings are leased to academies so when not required are handed back to the county council. The county council can then do with time as they wish and we expect the site to be sold, probably for housing.