Date set for minister's visit

Preparations are underway for the visit to Newark of a Government minister who will be shown the desperate need for investment at the area's three secondary schools.

On Friday the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, announced that Lord Hill of Oareford, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for schools, will visit the Magnus, Orchard and Grove schools on Tuesday, November 23.

He told parents and pupils at the Support Our Schools meeting at the Grove that they now had a month to prepare for the visit.

He said they needed to demonstrate that the Grove and Orchard needed to be rebuilt and that the Magnus required extensive refurbishment.

The meeting, which was attended by about 30 people, was told by Mr Mercer that the Grove was officially the most dilapidated school in Nottinghamshire, with Toot Hill School in Bingham close behind.

People of all ages are being urged to sign an online petition calling for investment in the schools.

The petition can be viewed by visiting www.sos-newark.btck.co.uk

A Facebook page, SOS Newark — Support Our Schools, has been set up to promote the campaign.

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