University will inspire students (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

University will inspire students

COATE DEVELOPMENT: I FEEL that Coun Tomlinson has misunderstood one of the main points concerning the proposed University of Bath in Swindon.

The point is not that we will see large numbers of Swindonians attending it, although that may be true as the cost of attending university increases and students decide to go to their local university rather than fork out large sums of money on accommodation. The point is the impact that it will have on the aspirations of many pupils in the borough to go to university.

Currently the performance of pupils in this town is below the national average. I am convinced that having a university on the doorstep will motivate pupils to aspire to go on to university. In order to do this it will motivate them to achieve the sort of grades that are required. Many pupils, despite the efforts of schools to address this issue, have little or no concept of what university life is about. Having one of the best universities in the country established in our town will certainly impact positively on pupils.

In conclusion, Swindon's growth and success has been built on a foundation of constant development, to miss this opportunity would be a retrograde step. So Coun Tomlinson, let us continue Swindon's tradition of moving forward rather that sitting back and missing the boat. This opportunity has been longed for by many in the borough for years. We would be fools to miss out. Sadly, Bath would go elsewhere and we would never have another chance of a top level university in the borough.

P BAKER

Highworth