Cllr John Howliston is calling on Hounslow's Tory administration to protect adult education pottery classes and associated facilities that face the axe in Feltham
Liberal Democrat councillor John Howliston last night expressed his dismay at the Tories failure to stop the closure of pottery facilities at Feltham Community College. This followed a question at Borough full council asking the Lead Member for Education & Children, Cllr Kinghorn, to explain what measures are being taken to replace the 'Pottery for Older Learners' course that has recently closed in the West Area.
Cllr John Howliston, Lib Dem councillor for Bedfont Ward, said:
"The lack of commitment from Cllr Kinghorn to back the Hounslow Adult and Community Education service provision of pottery classes at Feltham Community College is extremely disappointing.
"Surely Cllr Kinghorn and Education & Children lead officer Judith Petterson can use their considerable influence and resources to work with Feltham Community College and find an alternative location for the classes that need the space occupied by the pottery facilities. This is what responsible leadership of education demands.
"The pottery classes for adult students have been running for twenty-four years. Over this time they have acquired considerable equipment including a spray booth with an extractor, six pottery wheels and a kiln room containing three kilns. There is a real risk that these will end up on a skip if a different approach or appropriate relocation for the class and equipment is not quickly found.
"This situation raises a wider question as to what influence the council now has over schools in the borough and what checks and balances exist to protect Adult Education & Community facilities in local schools."
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