The government has given approval to a £6m gift from Sir James Dyson to support the development of his nearby public elementary school, even though there are worries about how it may affect other schools in the area.
On Monday, Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, revealed that she has approved the donation from the inventor to Malmesbury Church of England primary school in Wiltshire. The school is located near Dyson’s campus where he conducts research and development.
It will pay for a “first-class” science, technology, engineering, art and maths (Steam) centre plus additional classrooms and, subject to planning permission by Wiltshire council, will open from September 2027, providing capacity for an additional 210 pupils, taking the total to 630.
The James Dyson Foundation did not fully support the education secretary’s announcement and stated that they are closely analyzing the specifics of the decision.
Last year, in a correspondence to the Times, Dyson expressed disappointment that his charitable foundation’s contribution had been hindered by government officials. He stated to the publication, “It is disheartening to see how difficult it is to accomplish anything in Britain.”
Downing Street rejected his assertion, however, there was resistance from the community. According to Laura Mayes, who serves as the cabinet member for children’s services at Wiltshire council, there are already enough openings in three nearby schools to accommodate the need.
Many employees at Dyson’s UK headquarters in Malmesbury, estimated to be 3,500 in number, have expressed a desire to enroll their children in the school. However, the school is currently undersized to accommodate them.
Keegan expressed gratitude for the generous contribution from the Dyson Foundation, which will aid in providing advanced education for students in the community and foster the growth of future scientists and engineers.
This newly established center will offer top-notch resources for students in Malmesbury and nearby regions, encouraging and honing the necessary abilities to thrive in the global arena.
“The donation of £6 million expands upon our efforts to increase the interest in STEM subjects in schools, as well as through apprenticeships and higher education. This will contribute to the growth and advancement of these crucial industries, providing more opportunities for individuals.”
The headteacher of Malmesbury primary school, Steve Heal, expressed his gratitude to Sir James Dyson and the James Dyson Foundation for their enthusiastic support of the project since its beginning. It has been a lengthy process to reach this stage.
He described it as a positive development for Malmesbury, providing a remarkable chance to influence the direction of education through a revolutionary curriculum developed with Dyson. This will expand opportunities for children not only in Malmesbury but also beyond.
Following the government’s statement, Mayes stated, “It is our duty to ensure that all students in our schools have access to opportunities that motivate and enable them to reach their full potential.”
Our school’s strategy for securing enough school places in the future is a well-thought out plan that is based on solid evidence. It outlines our long-term approach to meeting this goal.
According to our plan, we have enough spots available at the three nearby schools to accommodate the anticipated need. However, we are worried about the potential consequences of increasing capacity by 210 spots at Malmesbury primary school on nearby schools.
“Fortunately, we have received the official ruling from the government and will collaborate with all parties involved to ensure that our students receive the optimal results.”
Kenneth Baker, who was education secretary under Margaret Thatcher, had backed Dyson. In a letter to the Times, he said: “It is almost unheard of for any large industrial company to support education in this very extended and committed way.
“Why would other industries and entrepreneurs be motivated to improve technical education in schools if the government refuses the proposal due to unfounded worries about excess school capacity?”
Source: theguardian.com
