As mentioned in the last Gent, the Trust has written to two of the local Coalition MPs, Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) and David Ward (Lib Dem, Bradford East), about the suspension of funding from the One in a Million (OIAM) Free School at Valley Parade. Our letter expressed outrage at the unfairness of the decision by the Department for Education, which left parents, students and staff in the lurch a week before the start of the school year. We pointed out that no real explanation for the decision had been given, looked for reassurances that Bradford City would be compensated for their commercial losses, and that, if the Government wanted the project to go ahead for 2013, early guarantees of funding would be given, to avoid a repeat of this year’s problems.

Both MPs have responded positively to this letter, and have been active with government to retrieve the situation (see attachments below). David Ward says that he ‘share[s the Trust’s] outrage at the Department of Education’s behaviour and its lack of notice regarding this announcement; it is appalling to let down parents and children alike one week before lessons were due to start.’ He has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, and will be meeting officials from the Department of Education, whom he will press for an early commitment on funding for 2013. Philip Davies has also been working with the Department for Education and OIAM, and says that he ‘will continue to be very closely involved in trying to help make sure that the best possible outcome is achieved for the school, the football club and the children and parents of Bradford’. He has made ‘the Minister [Lord Hill] aware of [the Trust’s] interest and concerns’.

Let’s hope that something positive can emerge from these efforts, and that the uncertainty over the fate of the UpFront building can be resolved to the benefit of the club and potential pupils alike.

Meanwhile, if you would like to show solidarity with OIAM, there is still time to book for their fourth annual Stars Awards fundraising dinner to be held at Bradford Grammar School on Saturday 13th October 2012 (see attachment below).