HC Deb 08 July 1914 vol 64 c1072
16. Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the state of the council school at Ightham, Kent; at what date, if any, were the managers, and when was the Kent Education Authority, warned that the school premises must be improved; and whether the Grant will be withdrawn till the school premises are made satisfactory?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Trevelyan)

The premises of the school, which were transferred to the Ightham School Board in 1876, were unfavourably reported on by His Majesty's inspector in December, 1909. At that time the trustees were considering the question of reopening the school as a voluntary school, the term for which it was transferred having expired. Notices under Section 8 of the Education Act, 1902, were issued for this purpose in April, 1911, but the Board decided against the proposal in December of that year. After protracted negotiations the local education authority obtained a new lease of the premises in April of this year, and are now carrying out plans for the necessary alterations, which had, in the meantime, been approved in July, 1912. If the alterations are promptly completed, we see no reason for making a deduction from the Grant.

Mr. KING

Will this school, after this long period of time, be really up to date in accordance with the requirements and building rules of the Board?

Mr. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

Is there a limit in time for complying with these requirements?