Stoney school fight goes to consultation

Written by Colleen Marples and published in Matlock Mercury on Thu 14th Dec 2006

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Stoney Middleton Primary School were left angry but undeterred by a Derbyshire County Council decision to proceed with closure proposals.

The council aims to close the school in July 2007 but faces a storm of opposition from parents, staff and villagers.

A cabinet meeting at County Hall in Matlock on Tuesday saw villagers gather to see if the unpopular plan would be thrown out or continue towards formal consultation.

They were disappointed. Approval was granted for the publication of statutory notices officially proposing the closure but they vowed to continue the fight.

Cllr Alan Charles, cabinet member for school planning and support, said: "This was a very difficult decision to make as it is a very emotive subject for the residents of the village.

"I take no satisfaction in recommending that the proposal goes to formal consultation but we have to look at the standard of education being provided at the school and its continued viability."

Cllr Charles told the cabinet there were concerns over the provision and quality of education at the school and the high level of support that has had to be provided.

He also reiterated the fact that it costs more than double the county average to educate a Stoney Middleton pupil per year - £5,678 per head compared to the county average of £2,640.

He said: "We have to look at what is best for all pupils in Derbyshire and this does not represent good value for money. This is by no means the end of the process however.

"To suggest that closure is a foregone conclusion would not be correct."

Lyn Holyoake, a village resident and school governor, said: "The report to cabinet was very one-sided; there was a huge response in support of the school from parents, village residents, governors and the FPTA, and the council just seems to have dismissed their concerns."

Another villager said: "This is only the beginning, we will continue to fight this."

Story by Colleen Marples

13 December 2006