MP goes full circle

10:22am Thursday 10th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho went back to her childrens' old school this week to officially open its new out of hours classes for pupils.

Ashwood Park Primary in Bells Lane, Wordsley, is extending its out of school provision to offer care from 7.45am to 6pm for youngsters aged three to 11.

Lynda - who lives in Wordsley - led a small group of mums back in 1997 who bid for one of the first rounds of National Lottery cash to start up breakfast and after school clubs for pupils whose parents wanted to return to work.

Helped by Dudley LEA's early years team and school headteacher Trevor Taylor, the mums put in an application and business plan which became one of the first successful lottery bids.

The proud parents scooped around £100,000 to set up the clubs, buy equipment and appoint staff - and the model was soon taken up by other organisations and formed the basis of the government's ideas on what is now called wrap around care'.

Lynda said: "At the time we were just a small group of mums, some who wanted to return to work after having our children and some who had continued to work but on a part time shift basis.

"We were finding it hard to get the sort of care we wanted for our children. It was important that it was available when we wanted it, not at the convenience of the provider."

The Labour MP added: "My children have long since left Ashwood, but I'm really pleased to return to officially open the extension to wrap around care at the school this time not only as a mum but as a member of parliament.

"Who knows, without the backup of OSCA I might never have had the opportunity to return to work and eventually go to Westminster."