MP's Questions in Commons over Alderman Blaxill School

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Jul 2007

Colchester MP Bob Russell has tabled Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons asking Government Ministers if there have been any discussions with Essex Education Authority over proposals which could lead to the closure of Alderman Blaxill School at Shrub End and the establishment of a City Academy at the Thomas Lord Audley School at Monkwick through the merger of the two schools.

He has asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions officials in his Department have had over the proposed closure of Alderman Blaxill School, which has amongst its pupils many youngsters who have one or both parents serving in HM Armed Forces and live in Army family housing, and whether the Ministry of Defence has been in discussions with Essex Education Authority over the possibility of establishing a City Academy.

Mr Russell said he had put these questions to the Secretary of State for Defence because there had been reports in Colchester that the Army had been involved in discussions with the Education Authority over the possible

closure of Alderman Blaxill School and the opening of a City Academy to take the place of both this school and also Thomas Lord Audley School, to be built on the TLA site.

On a more general question, the town's Liberal Democrat MP has asked the Secretary of State for Education what discussions his officials have had with Essex Education Authority "on secondary education provision in the Colchester constituency; and if he will make a statement."

He explained: "News of the possible closure of Alderman Blaxill School came out of the blue, and was quickly followed by talk of establishing a City Academy in the south of the town. I am trying to find out for how long the County Council's Education Authority has been involved in such discussions, and whether these discussions have included Government departments."

Mr Russell added: "I get the feeling that the closure plan was hatched many months ago. I also need to find out whether this is being driven by officers or Councillors."