Medway’s Conservative Council supports Grammar Schools

Photo: Medway Council Conservative Group

THE GILLINGHAM & Rainham Constituency Conservative Association and the Medway Conservative Group websites are both reporting on the local reaction to the Party Leadership’s distancing from traditional Grammar School support.

One of the Conservative’s main local election pledge’s this year was the continued support of the local grammar schools, popular amongst parents, students and teachers alike. Since the controversial distancing from Grammar Schools by David Cameron last week, worried parents have been contacting local associations, including the three in Medway, with their protestations and the local Councillors have been quick to respond.

“Medway’s Grammar Schools provide an excellent education for our children and thoroughly deserve our support,” says Cllr Les Wicks, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

The support from the recently re-elected Conservatives came after a “very productive” meeting between the Heads of Medway’s Grammar Schools, Cllr Wicks, Cllr Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council, and Cllr Rehman Chishti, Medway Cabinet Member and Adviser to the Chairman of the Conservative Party, at 4pm in the Rochester Math’s School’s Library.

Cllr Chambers said, “I think that it was a very productive meeting for all. We have made it very clear that Medway Council will always back Grammar Schools so long as it is run by Conservative Councillors. As Conservative Councillors, we stood at the last election upon our record as an honest and hardworking council that will deliver upon our promises. At this recent election we promised to keep the grammar schools in Medway – and this is exactly what we shall do whilst we are in office for the next four years.”

Cllr Wicks conlcuded: “I am very pleased that we held this meeting as it reassured all parties present that Grammar Schools are here to stay. Whilst continuing our support for Grammar Schools, we are determined that standards and offer of specialist education is improved in all of our schools. We look forward to working with parents, pupils, teachers, and governors to achieve this.”