Willow Dene School parents angry at Greenwich Council over broken promises

Willow Dene School moved into temporary buildings in Swingate Lane, Plumstead, when it was formed in 2001, with a promise by Greenwich Council of a new building by 2004.

But 10 years later parents, staff, and the school's 160 pupils, who all have learning disabilities, are still waiting.

Meanwhile, windows are broken, there are holes in walls, parts of the heating system packs up in cold weather and sections of the grounds are inaccessible to children in wheelchairs.

Now a group of parents are urging others to write to their local MPs demanding action.

Speaking after walking around the school to see the damage, Pauline Sheehy, whose nine-year-old son Jack has cerebral palsy, said: “It’s appalling. I’m disgusted today. It’s just opened my eyes big time, seeing holes in walls.

“Staff shouldn’t be working in this sort of environment.”

She said: “I was told when he first started here a new school was in the process of happening.”

Other problems include leaking roofs and uncovered outdoor areas. In the winter problems with the heating meant some children could only come to school for half a week at a time.

Finella Howard has a 10-year-old daughter suffering from severe developmental delay, Georgina, who goes to the school.

She said: “Unfortunately it’s the worst financial climate right now.

“But what’s so depressing is they’re building new mainstream primary schools. It does really feel like we’re being totally left out.”

The proposed site for a new building in Blackheath’s Hervey Road, which the parents describe as “a dream”, has proved controversial with a group called Friends of Hervey Road Sports Field.

But the council blames school governors for the delay and now claims the project is “unaffordable”.

A spokesman said: “The council had a proposal to relocate Willow Dene School six years ago. This was rejected by the school's governing body because it did not contain all the elements they required, despite the fact these could have been added later.

"Since then, the costs have risen and the project has been unaffordable.

“The council continues to seek urgent ways to ensure it can secure the renovation of the school and preferably its relocation.”

"In 2011, it’s disgusting"

Community governor Toks Bailey’s autistic son Jordan left the school in 2009.

She said: “We’ve had so many meetings over the years.

“We agreed to move to Hervey Road but nothing’s happened.

“We have vulnerable children - they have needs.

“The school bus shows on every corner in Greenwich there’s a disabled child.”

She said: “Over the last 10 years I don’t know what it is to sleep. I’ve watched kids pass away at this school and attended so many funerals with small coffins.

“In 2011, it’s disgusting. I’m from a third world country and those schools aren’t as bad.

“The kids shouldn’t be here.”