Academy activity dubbed 'elitist' by town mayor
Thursday, 30th June 2011.
A summer school for nine-year-olds in Haverhill was dubbed 'elitist' by town councillors who refused to help fund it this week because it is part of an Academy.
Samuel Ward Academy runs a summer school for year five children in Haverhill Primary Schools.
In the past the school was able to apply for funding from the Suffolk County Council as local education authority, but now it has become an Academy it is no longer eligible for this.
It applied for cash from Haverhill Town Council, explaining 128 of the 150 children in the year group would be attending, each for a week, along with 15 Chinese students, adding cultural dimension.
There would be 12 staff members helping the children to learn filming, editing, art techniques and a foreign language, with visits to London to the Science Museum and to see a 3D film at the IMAX.
The costs of the two-week summer school include £2,000 transport to London, £500 materials and £9,000 salaries. Parents or pupils contribute £10 a week.
Cllr Roger Andre said at £100 a child the school was exopenjsive and he didn't see why the town council should fund salaries of teachers employed by the Academy.
The mayor, Cllr Maureen Byrne said she thought the activity was 'elitist' because it was not open to all children in the town, and particularly those of more vulnerable families.
Cllr Lisa Carr said: "It's for a group of privileged people."
Councillors unanimously refused the request.
Samuel Ward Academy runs a summer school for year five children in Haverhill Primary Schools.
In the past the school was able to apply for funding from the Suffolk County Council as local education authority, but now it has become an Academy it is no longer eligible for this.
It applied for cash from Haverhill Town Council, explaining 128 of the 150 children in the year group would be attending, each for a week, along with 15 Chinese students, adding cultural dimension.
There would be 12 staff members helping the children to learn filming, editing, art techniques and a foreign language, with visits to London to the Science Museum and to see a 3D film at the IMAX.
The costs of the two-week summer school include £2,000 transport to London, £500 materials and £9,000 salaries. Parents or pupils contribute £10 a week.
Cllr Roger Andre said at £100 a child the school was exopenjsive and he didn't see why the town council should fund salaries of teachers employed by the Academy.
The mayor, Cllr Maureen Byrne said she thought the activity was 'elitist' because it was not open to all children in the town, and particularly those of more vulnerable families.
Cllr Lisa Carr said: "It's for a group of privileged people."
Councillors unanimously refused the request.
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