Essex families 'betrayed' by plans to axe primary school

On Friday, the government announced it intends to cancel plans for dozens of mainstream free schools, which includes the project for Lodge Farm Primary School in the Redrow Mulberries development in Witham.

Plans for Lodge Farm Primary School were first given the green light nearly a decade ago. It was a key condition as part of the 750-home development’s planning permission to help address growing concerns about the lack of school places in the town.

The school was set to cater to up to 420 children aged two to 11, with additional nursery places.

Witham MP Priti Patel has said the government’s desire to axe the school is “disgraceful”.  

'Disgraceful' - MP Priti Patel on a visit to the housing development earlier this year, (Image: Priti Patel MP)

Ms Patel said: “With our growing population and more families moving to the town and surrounding areas this would have provided vital and much-needed new school places.

“The entire town will be appalled by this announcement and I will be fighting this outrageous decision all the way.

“Families would have made decisions to move to Witham on the basis of this new school being built and they have been let down and betrayed by Labour.

“I have always campaigned hard for new and better public services for my constituents and the community and our local councils had worked hard to get the plans in place for Lodge Farm.

“Having cancelled the A12 Widening Scheme, put taxes up on local families and businesses, and now axed the longstanding plans for a new primary school, Labour have proven that they hate Essex and are making our county pay the price for their incompetence.”

Site - The school was planned as part of the 750-home development to meet demand in Witham for schools (Image: Priti Patel MP)

Councillor Ross Playle, for Witham Northern, said Essex County Council will be making representations to the Department for Education to challenge the decision with analysis demonstrating more school places are needed locally.

Councillor Tony Ball, cabinet member for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “We are very disappointed to hear that the government is minded to cancel plans for the Lodge Farm Free School in Witham. We await formal confirmation and will review our position once this is received.

“Residents can be assured that we remain committed to providing sufficient school places for every family in the area, including those moving into new housing developments.

“We will be putting options together in the New Year to assess how best to meet the needs of children and families in Witham.

“We will update families and other key partners once this work is completed.”

School - Families have been 'let down and betrayed' as the government announced it is minded to cancel plans for the primary school in the 750-home development (Image: Priti Patel MP)

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The government also announced Friday it will invest £3billion create around 50,000 specialist places nationwide for children with SEND.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “To prioritise the investment in specialist places being announced today, a number of mainstream free school projects will not go ahead, reflecting the government’s commitment to putting school places where they’re needed most, now and in the future.”

The government said the number of primary school pupils has been falling since 2019, with the number of secondary school pupils due to begin falling from next year.

Meanwhile, the number of young people with SEND has risen to at least 1.7million - an increase of 400,000 pupils since 2020. 

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This £3 billion investment will transform lives.

“It will open the door to opportunity for tens of thousands of children with SEND, giving them the chance to learn, belong and succeed in their local community. This is how we build an education system that works for every child.”