On Saturday June 16th parents and teachers from Thomas Bennett Community College were joined by Labour party members, supporters and Councillors in a march organised by the Save Thomas Bennett campaign and the teachers’ National Education Union.  The large group formed up at the Town Hall and marched to Queens Square on Saturday where they were addressed by speakers.  The march was accompanied by support from members of the public in the street and car drivers tooting their horns.

Speakers were compered by Glen Kelly from the NEU and included parent Emma Ford and Faye who read a moving piece written by her son Jake (who is a member of the Base at TBCC).  From TBCC teacher Alex Ramiz and college’s drama teacher spoke. Graham Robson the Head of Manor Green school in Ifield gave a detailed account of the problems caused by the continuing budget cuts inflicted on local schools and Kerry Flynn from the campaign group called on parents to lobby Crawley MP Henry Smith.  Cllr Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley Borough Council and Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate, highlighted the appalling consequences of what could happen to other schools and the town as a whole if the cuts were allowed to go through, calling upon residents to join the fight to save education in Crawley.