Vye slams "Cuckoo Carter" Kent Education Policy

1.02.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd Apr 2010

After the Kent County Council meeting on Thursday 1 April, Martin Vye, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, criticised the Leader of the Council, Paul Carter, for his U-turn on education policy.

County Councillor Martin said:

"A few months ago Paul Carter was expressing concern about the growth in number of Academies, which are non-KCC schools outside the control of residents' locally elected representatives.

"A few weeks ago he was expressing concern about the Academies refusing to admit children with Special Needs. This morning he was complaining about a lack of grammar school places in West Kent, which is the direct result of non KCC Schools admitting large numbers of pupils from outside Kent. Today, though, in a pre-General Election address to the Council, he declared himself in favour of 'free schools' along the Swedish lines. Paul Carter needs to decide where he stands."

Martin continued:

"I have nothing against a group of parents arranging their own schooling for their children, subject to proper safeguarding arrangements, but any school funded by the taxpayer must take its place in the fabric of local schools watched over by the taxpayers' representatives, the local Councillors.

"So called 'free schools' have become cuckoos in the nest where they gave places to children from outside Kent, where they have operated admissions arrangements without regard for the needs of local children.Is he really supporting the Tories' plans to multiply the numbers of schools like this?"