Tilstock
Five of North Shropshire’s smallest schools are rallying against ‘devastating’ closure plans announced by education bosses.
Shropshire County Council revealed its hit-list yesterday as part of radical plans to tackle falling pupil numbers and save £1.8m a year.
Across the county, 22 schools face the axe while 16 could be amalgamated.
Affected in North Shropshire are Tilstock CE Primary School, Myddle CE Primary School, Weston Lullingfields CE (Controlled) Primary School, Welshampton CE Primary School and St Andrew’s CE (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School at Nesscliffe.
The council, whose cabinet will discuss the plans at a meeting on January 30, is promising full consultation before a final decision is made and would implement any changes in September 2009.
Councillor Ann Hartley, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Nobody wants to see a school close, but the reorganisation of primary schools in Shropshire must take place to address the critical drop in pupil numbers.
“At the moment there are 3,250 surplus places and that figure is expected to rise to 5,450 by 2012. If we do not act now, the standard of education would ultimately fall as funding would be used to supplement the empty places.”
But staff, parents and governors are already planning to fight the proposals.
Nesscliffe school held a meeting for parents and Rachel Warner, chair of Governors, said: “We do not have another school within a three miles radius and the roads to access other surrounding schools are either unclassified, single track or the main A5 dual carriageway which rapidly changes to a single track road.
“Obviously these roads are very dangerous. We do not want our children travelling these roads every day and risking their lives.
“Many of our children have already had to relocate from Grafton.
“To disturb their friendship groups again would have a detrimental effect on their emotional development and well-being.
“We feel very strongly about our school in Nesscliffe it is a vital focus and integral part of our community.
“We have a currently rising roll situation which will increase further with our pre-school and wrap around care club provision.
“We do not intend to lose it.”
Catherine Youd, a governor at Welshampton School, said everyone at the school was devastated by the decision, and furious about the way it was announced.
She said: “This is killing the community as we are an outstanding school, obviously quality awards mean nothing.
“There are going to be some angry parents on the playground this afternoon. People found out about this on the radio, how unprofessional is that?
“We are an outstanding school and have just had an extension built, which now appears to be a waste of money, and appointed Christine Smith as the new headteacher.
“It is a case of faceless suits making decision about people’s lives.”
A statement from the staff and governors at Myddle School read: “We are devastated for the children and people of Myddle village and we will be preparing our case for the next step of the process.”
Meanwhile, Tilstock School headteacher Julie Stuffins-Jones said staff and governors at the school saw the announcement as a challenge.
l Continued on page 3 of the North Shropshire Chronicle on sale now.
