New chaos over Sandwell schools rebuild

A £340 million scheme to rebuild every secondary school in Sandwell today descended further into chaos - with students and staff caught in the crossfire between the Government and Sandwell Council.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has told the council he is to review his decision to axe £114 million of borough school rebuilding schemes . But the Department for Children Schools and Families today maintained a review would not be going ahead and the decision still stands.

It led to widespread fury and frustration as West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson blasted Mr Gove as a "miserable pipsqueak"in a Commons exchange.

Council leader Darren Cooper said today he believed a review of axed Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes would go ahead as he was given Mr Gove's word in a private meeting at a local government conference in Bournemouth yesterday.

"I had a meeting with the Secretary of State and pleaded with him for a review of the situation in Sandwell. My clear understanding was that he agreed to that."

They were still considering legal options on the Government's decision on BSF in Sandwell.

The Department for Children Schools and Families said: "We are not reviewing Sandwell's BSF decision. We are reviewing the overall Capital Spending Programme but not BSF."

Councillor Cooper said Mr Gove promised a review of projects and added the department was unaware of the current situation.

Most Sandwell secondary schools were mistakenly told on Tuesday they had been granted millions to rebuild or refurbish.The Government gave incorrect information, saying

Sandwell's projects escaped unscathed from cuts when most borough schemes were axed.

Mr Gove apologised for his gaffe and Mr Watson later apologised for calling him "a miserable pipsqueak".

Mr Watson MP today encouraged people to contact his office for invitations to meet Mr Gove by calling his office on 0121 569 1904.