Liam Byrne MP today met with Sylvia McNamara, the council chief in charge of building new schools, to move forward his campaign for three brand new schools in Hodge Hill.

Liam last month demanded the city council explain why it has not taken up over £3 million in Government funding to build a new school in Hodge Hill despite new figures showing a school place crisis.

The meeting follows further news on the city’s seven city academies; none of which will be in Hodge Hill.

Liam said:

“The government’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme has been a huge success and local parents want to see their kids learning in the very best facilities here in Hodge Hill.”

The need for new school is particularly apparent in Washwood Heath and Bordesley Green. City council figures revealed by the Hodge Hill MP last month showed just five wards in the city with more children than school places with the gap in Washwood Heath over two and a half times the shortfall in other wards put together.

Liam pressed Ms McNamara to take up Schools Minister, Jim Knight MP’s open offer to enter discussions with officials at the Department for Education and Skills.

Liam added:

“Families continue to come to me seeking help for school places. Everyone wants their kids in nearby schools whose modern buildings and state-of-the-art facilities provide the best environment for learning.

“The government’s done its bit with the money and parents have been patient enough. Now it’s time for the council to get going.”