Pupils' SOS - save our school

Written by Colleen Marples and published in Matlock Mercury on Thu 19th Oct 2006

FURIOUS parents have vowed to fight Derbyshire County Council proposals to close a much loved school which has educated generations of the same families.

Stoney Middleton Parents and Pupils

The future of Stoney Middleton CofE Primary school has been thrown into doubt as the council is set to consult about shutting it for good next year.

Falling pupil numbers and difficulties attracting a headteacher are some of the reasons given for the proposal. The school has places for 47 pupils but has just 21 on its roll.

Dulcie Jones is a governor at the school, she said: "We are disgusted. We feel that this is being rushed through without the proper channels being followed.

"The school is small but provides excellent education and numbers are set to increase next year. This is a school that is on the up not going down.

"It is not just the pupils and parents who would be affected, the school is the heart of the community, there is no other village hall or meeting place."

The school was built in 1835 by subscription. Some of the relatives of the original founders are still in the village and their children attend the school.

Tara Hancock is a prospective parent whose family own a shop directly opposite the school. Her three and a half year old daughter Emma would be the fifth generation of the family to attend the school.

Tara said: "We are devastated about this.

"This is a very close-knit community and the school is at the heart of the village. Once the school is lost it is gone for ever.

"It would be a very long walk to the nearest alternate school in the area along a very dangerous main road."

Councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for school planning and support, said: "We are recommending it be considered for closure because we believe falling pupil numbers mean the school's funding from the Government will be affected.

"This will have a direct impact on the quality of education that can be offered to children. The school is already struggling to attract a permanent headteacher because pupil numbers are so low."

Other schools in the surrounding area have spaces that could accommodate the pupils but concerns have been raised that the council is not following its own policies.

Mrs Jones said: "The county council's own policy states that 'If situations develop where there are a number of schools within the same area with a significant number of surplus places, a rationalisation of such places will be considered in full consultation with the Governing Bodies prior to any consideration of a public consultation exercise.' No such consultation with the school's governing body has taken place."

A public meeting will be held at the school on Thursday November 2 at 6.30pm to discuss all the options.

COMMENTS

PARENT: Julie Townsend's two boys Brandon, aged eight, and Calum, aged six, both attend the school. She said: "We are really upset at the news.

"It is a really important part of the community and the children absolutely love it, one of them was in tears when we said it might have to close.

"As I am disabled it would cause me problems having to travel to get the boys to school, here the school is right on my doorstep."

MP: West Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin said: "It is a very important community school and facility for the village.

"This has come as a bit of a surprise and there is no wonder that the parents are concerned about the possibility of its closure.

"Derbyshire County Council has tried in the past to close small schools without success, the latest case was Muggington.

"That had very small numbers too but has since increased and it is now a thriving little school."

GOVERNOR: Peter Hobson, chairman of the school's governing body said: "The news of the closure proposal was a bolt from the blue.

"The Governors believe the school is viable and we understood that the Authority's policy was to support small schools."

FORMER HEAD: Beth Ely, former headteacher at the school, said: "In the small school, children are treated as individuals, gifted children are not limited by the constraints of year group.

"The shy, retiring child learns confidence and the child with special needs gains self-esteem."

Story by Colleen Marples

To comment email colleen.marples@matlockmercury.co.uk

18 October 2006