THE education minister warned voters if they did not vote for Labour, Warrington would not get a number of new schools.

Ed Balls made the comment during a visit to Penketh High School last Friday with Warrington South Labour candidate Nick Bent to highlight the importance of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme which will see the school be rebuilt.

He said: “The young people deserve a 21st century state-of-the-art school building – whether that is built depends on the General Election.

“The Conservative party is not completing our example of building schools. The forms haven’t been signed yet (at Penketh High School) so it’s in the balance and that is a big decision for the people of Warrington South.

“By voting for Labour they are making a vote for the new school.”

During his early evening visit to the school Mr Balls took questions from pupils and parents at the school.

And he was given a sneak preview of Penketh High’s latest feature film production, The Opportunity, a joint project between the school and Kwadeda High School in South Africa.

Mr Balls said: “I had no idea there were schools making their own feature films.

“I’ve never been to a school that makes feature-length films. It’s a first for me.”

The hot topics included how he got involved in politics, what he thought of lowering the voting age to 16 and what he thought of pupils starting school later in the day.

Another hot topic was the impending election.

He told the audience: “The election seems to be a really big choice – bigger than the last two or three.

“There’s lots of people thinking this is a big deal. Every election since 1992 people have made their mind up but this time they’re still thinking about it.”

He also spoke out following some concerns over Sats exams for 11-year-olds.

“I think it’s important we keep on having Sats for 11-year-olds in primary schools. If you are a parent you need to know how the school is doing and need to know how your child is doing.

“It doesn’t mean they have to stay the same, we are looking to see if we can have more teacher assessments,” he added.

He finished his visit by saying he would be looking forward to seeing the school’s new film and was given copies of their two previous feature-length productions.