EDUCATION chiefs today expressed dismay at a Government threat to stop refurbishment of Chesham Park Community College.

Education secretary Michael Gove yesterday announced almost 700 rebuilding or refurbishing schemes across England would be scrapped to save cash.

Schools boss Chris Munday said: “This is hugely disappointing to everybody who has been involved in the development of this work.”

Labour began the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme in 2004. Schools in the north of the county are also hit.

The status of the cash is ‘for discussion’, the Government said in its announcement late yesterday afternoon.

But Mr Munday, divisional director, commissioning and business improvement at Buckinghamshire County Council, said minsters had not said what this means.

He said: “We don’t know what ‘discussion’ means.

“We are seeking clarification to what these discussions will be about.”

He said ‘temporary fixes’ would be sought but the council alone could not pay for new schools.

Conservative councillor Steven Adams, responsible for schools, hit out at the way the information was announced at a meeting this morning.

He said: “I have spoken to the headteacher this morning and we are disappointed the news was announced in an unplanned fashion.

“I don’t think it was conspiracy, I think it was the other one.”

He told The Bucks Free Press: “Obviously we are very disappointed for the parents and schools.

“We are going to continue working hard in these areas and try and make sure we get a positive result.”

Mr Gove said the cuts were needed as it was ‘irresponsible to carry on regardless with an inflexible, and needlessly complex programme’.

Cllr Adams, cabinet member for achievement, learning and skills, said: “I can understand why the Government has been forced into this decision.”

Labour promised the cash in March ‘when they knew they wouldn’t have the money to see it through’ he said.

Cressex Community School was the first in Bucks to benefit from the BSF programme. A £31m rebuild will open on the existing site in September.

The issue was discussed at today's meeting of the joint advisory and consultative group (schools).

Former Labour schools secretary Ed Balls said the announcement was a ‘tragedy’.

He said: “Today is a black day for our country's schools.”

Schools affected are:

Aylesbury Vale Academy Academy - for discussion.

Chesham Park Community College Academy - for discussion.

Buckingham Upper Stopped.

Burnham Upper Stopped.

Furze Down (Special) Stopped.

Mandeville School Stopped.

The Grange, Aylesbury Stopped.

Cressex Community School Unaffected.

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