THE Secretary of State for Education has admitted that a decision to cancel a schools improvement programme will hit particularly hard in Waltham Forest.

In response to a Commons question from Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, Michael Gove conceded that Waltham Forest is one of the areas where the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF) “bites more sharply”.

But he said this was because of the way BSF was managed locally.

A total of 16 existing schools in the borough will now miss out on multi-million pound rebuilding and refurbishment projects as the Government attempts to cut the budget deficit.

Miss Creasy highlighted three local schools - William Morris, Holy Family and Willowfield - which had seen funding agreed for improvements after their buildings were condemned as “not fit for purpose”.

She invited Mr Gove to visit Willowfied, which was due to be completely rebuilt, to discuss his decision with teachers and parents.

He responded: “I will ensure that one of my Ministers or officials contacts the hon. Lady very quickly to see what we can do to alleviate this necessary blow.”

Miss Creasy visited Holy Family this morning and she said "they are absolutely devastated" about the Government annoucement.

She said: "Schools are operating in buildings which are not fit for purpose and they have not invested in the buildings because they were expecting investment.

"At Holy Family corridors are dark and there are lots of nooks and crannies which makes it harder, not easier, to supervise children.

"They also haven't got a proper sports hall."

Miss Creasy said schools being split over separate sites was not ideal and there is also a need for rebuilds to help create much needed extra spaces for pupils.

She said: "We are not talking about children having fancy buildings for the sake of it."

Miss Creasy said she was pleased Mr Gove acknowledged the issue in the borough and she would do her best to force the issue of Mr Gove visiting the borough.