So, the people of Reedswood have spoken…
Fair play to them. But don’t let your guard down just yet.
Now it is time to start moving towards actual progress.
People often say Walsall is deprived. If we leave things as they are, it is only going to get worse.
First I just want to clear something.
Is Phil Norwood real?
YES.
Does Phil Norwood fight for Sneyd?
YES.
Has Phil really been having meetings?
YES.
Why does he never say who he meets?
Because I respect the people who give me their time, and I respect the conversations that take place. There is a time and a place for everything. I will never use someone's time with me for publicity.
Simple.
I'm not a protester
Why don't we ever see Phil protesting?
I have never believed that standing around making noise is the only way to get things done. I believe in talking, researching, asking questions and getting around the table.
Why don't we see him everywhere?
Because I don't seek attention.
I am trying to speak for parents across Bloxwich and Walsall who are struggling to get their children the education they deserve.
But there will be a time!
What is he fighting for — mainstream or SEN?
Both.
I have always made that clear.
Walsall needs more than one solution. We need the right provision for mainstream children, and we need the right provision for children with SEND.
I refuse to pick one group over another because every child deserves access to a proper education.
Has Phil given up?
Never.
I said I would see this through to the end, and I meant it.
Why is he bothering?
Because I gave parents whose children are travelling ridiculous distances my WORD.
And I don't take my word lightly.
Why doesn't Phil stand as a ward councillor?
Because, quite frankly, I don't want to become part of a system where things take too long and people are constantly given excuses.
I told people that.
I don't want to be above you.
I'm one of you.
Why does Phil thank Windsor Trust?
Because they chose Walsall.
I have spoken to heads of schools. I have listened. I know there are serious pressures on education in this area, and I believe anyone prepared to invest in Walsall deserves recognition for that.
Does that mean Phil likes the Apollo?
Yes.
But liking the idea of the school does not mean I automatically agree with its location.
I don't.
And that is an important distinction.
Did Phil agree with everything councillors said during planning?
No.
And that isn't simply because the application was refused.
My concern is that we need to wake up when it comes to predicting future child numbers.
We are constantly told numbers are falling.
Fine.
But nobody can predict the future with certainty.
Build more houses and you bring more families.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that.
So while there may be a dip, I want Walsall to be prepared for the possibility of another surge.
That is why I have been looking at land — even beyond the immediate boundary.
Because planning for tomorrow means thinking beyond today.
And yes, I am absolutely real.
But I want to thank everyone who already knows me for keeping the focus where it belongs.
This isn't about Phil Norwood.
I have never wanted pity, attention or praise.
But if I'm being completely honest, I am annoyed.
The pace of all of this is frustrating.
The amount of time I put into this is huge. The research. The preparation. The meetings. The travelling. Even preparing myself physically and mentally, and painkilling myself up for face-to-face meetings.
Do I trust everyone I meet?
No.
And that is the truth.
But I respect people enough to give them their time, and that is why I don't reveal who I met, when I met them or where.
Respect works both ways.
I am not a protester.
I never saw that as my way of doing things.
But if talking, writing, researching and meeting people isn't enough, then I will continue looking at every legitimate way of making sure parents are heard.
Because I believe there are parents whose children simply are not in the right place.
This year we have seen huge numbers of children being homeschooled, with some parents unable to secure the school they wanted or needing to travel distances that simply aren't practical.
And there are children who cannot get into a school that can properly cater for their needs.
That is the problem I am trying to address.
I started this campaign to save my school.
Sneyd.
A school that is not sitting on a major main road and is not surrounded by residential streets in the way some other sites are.
But this has grown beyond one building.
It is now about education provision for an entire area.
I have tried repeatedly to get my views across through the press.
Many times I have been blanked.
Freedom of speech?
Fine.
Then I will speak directly to the people instead.
And I still cannot understand why we would ignore the risks around putting schools on busy roads when children have already been knocked down.
Someone's child.
That matters.
I said from the beginning that I would not pick one group over another.
That isn't right.
Every child deserves an education.
That is why I say Walsall is deprived — not because of the children, but because we are failing to provide enough of what the next generation needs.
So please…
Open your eyes.
I've been looking at land because I don't want Walsall caught unprepared.
If we have a period where child numbers fall, that does not mean they will stay down forever.
There could be a surge afterwards.
We need to be ready.
And then there is Sneyd itself.
I keep seeing so-called urban explorers going in and around the site.
It's a joke.
They are openly mocking the security that has been put in place, and if that security isn't working, then questions need to be asked.
Because I have said this before:
If vandalism, neglect or anything else leads to the loss of the school building we need, the responsibility will sit with those who allowed it to happen.
You are literally letting a school sit and rot! And that’s why people are listing faith.
I keep saying:
Let the parents have a say.
But too often they are ignored.
Brushed under the carpet.
Out of sight, out of mind.
That isn't right.
That is why I continue speaking up for them.
And then there is the proposed £50 million secondary school investment.
If that investment is put at risk, I will challenge it.
Because regardless of who gets the credit, regardless of who sits where politically, Walsall's children need that investment.
They deserve the opportunity to have education closer to home.
They deserve proper facilities.
And parents deserve a choice.
So once again, I want to say well done to the people of Reedswood.
I attended some of their meetings.
When it came to protesting and planning committee action, I always made my position clear:
I would stand with them, but I would not lead the fight in that way.
That doesn't mean I ever left them out.
I haven't.
I have continued having conversations and asking the questions:
What?
If?
Where do we go next?
Because now we need to start looking at how we actually sort this mess out.
And please stop treating me as a NIMBY.
Speak to the people who have actually sat down with me.
They will tell you:
He's just a normal man trying to do the right thing for his town.
Trying to get children closer to home.
Trying to make sure Walsall has enough schools.
Trying to make sure SEN children aren't forgotten.
Trying to make sure mainstream children aren't forgotten either.
That is what this has always been about.
So to everyone who has backed me, supported me, shared my posts, signed the petition or simply told me to keep going:
Thank you.
It genuinely does help.
The response to my recent statement showed that.
480 additional signings in just over 24 hours.
That wasn't about me.
That was parents finally feeling like somebody was speaking up for them.
It was community members, young and old, realising that someone is actually trying to get something back for this area.
And I want you to know something.
Whether we win, lose or draw…
I gave it my all for you.
Not for me.
There have been times when this has been stressful.
Times when I've genuinely thought:
Why am I bothering?
And then I remember the answer.
Because if I won't speak up…
Who will?
So keep signing.
Keep sharing.
And I will keep trying.
Phil Norwood
Campaigner for Sneyd School
2024–Present