Demand for new school in 'deprived area' of town

PUPILS in Weston are suffering in a school with leaky roofs, windows that don't close and going to class in a building 'unfit for purpose'. A Walliscote Primary School governor made an urgent plea to North Somerset Council for a new building for the school at a full council meeting on Tuesday. The Grade II listed building in Walliscote Road is more than 100 years old and has already had thousands of pounds spent on maintenance work on the roof over the summer holidays, but it still leaks.The building has windows that do not shut properly, causing concerns over security, and some of them leak as well. Chair of governors Rachel Wiltshire, said: "We have been told that the car park needs proper facilities to stop people who are not invited entering the school."For health and safety reasons we have also been told we need a high wire meshing fence around the school playground."The alterations needed all require planning permission but we have great difficulties applying for this as there are so many complications with it being a listed building."We have 314 pupils and some of them come from what is arguably one of the most deprived areas of Weston. The school they attend is unfit for purpose and unsuitable for the 21st century."We need a new modern building that staff and children can enjoy."Councillor Jeremy Blatchford, the portfolio holder for children and young people's services, said: "We are searching for a replacement site and funding. A listed building in educational terms is a disaster and we need modern buildings to do the job."Walliscote is a good school and works under challenging conditions. It is definitely high on our priority list."We are hoping to relocate the school but this process can take two to three years and I would be surprised if the project cost less than six million pounds."I have spoken with Mrs Wiltshire on several occasions and will be meeting with the headteacher shortly.