Polly has launched a petition calling on Conservative-controlled Kent County Council (KCC) to save Bradstow School in Broadstairs from closure. The school is a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school for pupils with the most complex needs.
Last week Polly wrote to the council calling for action, following news that KCC was refusing an offer from the school’s operator Wandsworth Council to have ownership of the school, including all of its land, transferred to KCC so it could remain open. KCC also owes Wandsworth more than £2 million in unpaid bills.
The MP’s letter, published on Facebook, was subsequently shared more than 100 times and seen by more than 20,000 people.
Launching the petition to save the school, Ms Billington said:
I have been bowled over by the response to my letter to Kent County Council, which demonstrates the strength of feeling in East Thanet that they must take action to save Bradstow School. I am launching this petition to ensure that the council knows the strength of feeling in East Thanet that Bradstow is an essential resource for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities pupils that must remain open.
The school supports and educates some of the most vulnerable young people in society, with some of the most complex needs. Some of the children require secure provision and rely on the specialist support that Bradstow offers them.
The impact on families of the pupils being educated at Bradstow if the school were to close would be enormous, forcing vulnerable children into a SEND system that is currently not fit for purpose and leaving parents having to cut down their working hours or exit work altogether due to their caring responsibilities.
I have had conversations with Bradstow school, Wandsworth Council, and the families, and all three want to work with KCC to resolve this issue and keep the school open. All are willing to be flexible in how they approach this, which is why it’s troubling that KCC is currently blocking this from progressing.
I would urge all those who want to see the Bradstow School remain open to sign my petition, to ensure Kent County Council hear loud and clear that East Thanet residents want to see them act to save this vital community asset.