Grove's future back on the agenda

The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, will again seek answers over the future of The Grove School, Balderton, at a meeting in Westminster on April 17.

Mr Mercer will question the Secretary of State for Education, Mr Michael Gove, about much-needed funded for the Grove, and for Newark’s Magnus Church of England School and Toot Hill School, Bingham.

News of the meeting comes as campaigners are set to meet at The Grove tonight as the fight for money to rebuild the school’s decaying buildings looks set to go national.

Members of the Newark area Support Our Schools campaign were angered by a further delay, until May or June, on the Government’s decision over how £2bn-worth of investment for schools will be spent.

Campaigners are considering forming a national pressure group to shame the Government into action.

This campaign could take the theme of the Olympics, which are costing the country billions, and could also involve direct action.

Mr Mercer said: “I could never endorse direct action, however, this is the single biggest cause affecting the constituency and I get the frustration.

“I will be underlining the effects that the dragging of heels is having.

“There is a great deal of anger —these are intelligent, reasonable people who ordinarily would not even consider the phrase ‘direct action’ which speaks volumes in its self.

“Much as I will be asking Mr Gove when we will have a date for an announcement, I will also be asking for a date when work on The Grove will start.”

Mr Gove had been due to visit The Grove, where the buildings are said to be in the worst condition of any school in Nottinghamshire, but cancelled at the last minute.

Schools minister Lord Hill has toured the school, which was due to be rebuilt under the Building Schools For The Future programme, which was axed by the coalition Government.

Anyone interested can attend tonight’s Support Our Schools meeting, in The Grove’s Kenilworth House Room at 6pm.