54 schools rely on mobile classrooms (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

54 schools rely on mobile classrooms

PUPILS at more than half of Swindon's schools are being taught in unsatisfactory mobile classrooms, official figures have revealed.

However, Swindon Council haspledged to remove all makeshift school buildings schools within four years.

According to the Department for Education, pupils in 54 Swindon schools still have lessons in temporary buildings. That is more than in many large urban areas, including Manchester, which has 23, Liverpool with 25 and Coventry with 13.

Many buildings date back to the 1960s and 1970s, when they were considered a quick and cheap solution to the borough's spiralling school populations.

But they were not intended for decades of service, and continued use is frowned upon by national education chiefs.

Education minister David Miliband said he did not want to see children being taught in them on even a medium-term basis.

However, he did not blame local education bosses, admitting some headteachers had no other choice.

He said: "The department does not encourage the replacement of defective permanent accommodation with temporary mobile classroom accommodation.

"But we do accept the necessity, in some cases, to respond to short-term need or emergencies."

Coun Garry Perkins (Shaw and Nine Elms), Swindon Council's lead member for education, said poor buildings hampered children's progress.

He said: "Some of our buildings have been there for 30 years.

"Unfortunately, because of the finances of Swindon Council, they have sprouted roots and become permanent. If we want education to improve, we must improve the environment in which children are taught.

"Last summer we removed all buildings not being used, and we have budgeted to remove the rest with four years."

Although many local education authorities across the country are in a similar position to Swindon, some do not have any temporary classrooms. Others have a larger problem, including Wiltshire, with 102 schools using temporary buildings.

Details of temporary buildings use comes in the wake of a Government pledge to pump millions of pounds into authorities like Swindon to bring schools up to scratch. But it could be years before the cash becomes available.

tlal@newswilts.co.uk