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Search forOverwhelming support for Addington High in schools referendum
Tuesday, August 05, 2008, 12:40
For the past month ballot boxes have been dotted around the town and ballot papers posted through the door of everyone in the town on the electoral role.
This morning, they were counted, revealing a staggering 2,847, or 97.7 per cent, voted for the town to keep Addington High.
Just 67, or a tiny 2.3 per cent, voted against.
The referendum was organised by the town's Labour councillors, who sit in opposition on Croydon Council.
It is part of their campaign against council plans to close Addington High and replace it and Selsdon High with a super academy.
Carole Bonner, Labour councillor for Field Way, said: “It's fantastic. It's fair to say the community of New Addington has spoken.
“I think the council would be very foolish to ignore what they're saying.”
The votes were counted at Fingers Kebab cafe, Central Parade.
Kim Hussein, 38, of Homestead Way, was there to see the result come in with her children Martin, nine, and Jessica, six.
She said: “I voted because my kids are going to be going there in the future and I do not want them getting a bus to school everyday.
“It's a brilliant school, I went there and it's too much part of the community.”
Mrs Hussein's mum Violet White, 69, was also there to lend support.
She said: “It's a big issue for people in New Addington. There's nothing wrong with it and there will be a big protest if it's closed down.”
Faye Brady's son Ryan, 15, is a pupil at the school, said: “I voted but I know it's going to be a waste of time no matter how much we want it and the kids want it.
“The council never listen to people. It's disruptive for my boy going into his last year.”
And it's not just parents of current pupils who are furious at the plans.
Kathleen Saunders, 64, of Stowell Avenue, was a pupil there in the 1950s, said: “I went there and my children went there as well. It's a big part of my family history and I feel strongly about it.”
Although ballot papers were only given to those on the electoral role, Addington High pupils were also allowed to vote in the election.
People could also vote online or by text - but most were cast by ballot paper.
Labour leader Tony Newman said: “We've run it as close as it could possibly be to a proper election.
“What we said at the start was it is probably 95 per cent accurate.”
Field Way councillor Simon Hall said: “The amazing thing about this is the turnout. “If you put something through someone's door ask any marketing company if you get two or three per cent back that's a really good result.
“Over 20 per cent of people have made a specific effort to vote in this referendum.”
In the last local election in May 2006, of the 13,895 people in New Addington and Fieldway on the electoral roll, 5,521 cast a vote - less than twice as many voting in this one-issue referendum.
The plans, announced in June, also propose closing Haling Manor and Westwood Language College in the north of the borough, and replacing them with another super-academy.
Croydon Council is still holding an official consultation on the plans, which is due to end on September 30.
IMPROVE NOT REMOVE: Hundreds of New Addington parents protested outside the town hall last month
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