Burnham blasts 'blighted education of a whole generation' (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham blasts 'blighted education of a whole generation'

September 25, 2007 1:23 PM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, used today's Plenary session to voice her reaction to the damning findings of two independent reports into Denbighshire schools.

Responding to a statement by the Education Minister, Ms Burnham said: "It is deeply worrying that both the Estyn report into education in Denbighshire and the findings of independently commissioned consultants have found poor leadership and mismanagement at the heart of the county's failing schools.

"This has blighted the education of a whole generation and it's time to tackle the root causes of this endemic failure.

"The lead council member for lifelong learning has already left and under the circumstances and I believe the whole executive needs to think long and hard about how it will turn this state of affairs around

"The council leader has stated education is their top priority, yet it's clear to me that education should be the top priority for any council. It's disappointing that it has taken so long for Denbighshire to reach this point.

"We need to see a real change at the heart of the education system in Denbighshire and I sincerely hope the council has now recognized they cannot continue to let these schoolchildren down.

"I would like to see the minister keep a close watch on the progress of the council on this vital issue. It is the future of these children that is at stake, and that is something the council and the Assembly Government cannot afford to gamble."