'Save our school' bid grows

Written by Mandy Atkinson email mandy.atkinson@derbyshiretimes.co.uk and published in Derbyshire Times on Thu 26th Oct 2006

Dozens of residents turned out to help fight a controversial school closure bid after campaigners sounded a rallying call.

Organisers of the 'Save Our School' protest in Stoney Middleton led a packed public meeting following a shock announcement last week that the site could be axed in July.

Parents, teachers, governors and businesses have joined forces to battle the bid by Derbyshire County Council, which is set to be laid out for public scrutiny next month.

Mum-of-two Dulcie Jones, chairman of the school's Friends, Parents and Teachers Association, said: "It was standing room only as the whole community came together to decide how to fight this threat to close the school."

Authority bosses have defended the proposal, saying the school is half-empty and therefore costing £5,678 to educate each of its 21 pupils - more than double the average cost.

They propose the youngsters be moved to nearby schools in Curbar or Eyam - but concerned parents say this would mean their kids would face a two-mile walk along the busy A623 road each day.

Campaign leaders are now urging people to mount pressure on the county council by sending their objections to the authority, contacting West Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin and turning out for a meeting with education chiefs on November 2.

There is also a petition to sign in shops and businesses across the village.

Sue Bettney, a governor at the school, added: "It's clear that the council thinks they can ride roughshod over what the community wants.

"But we won't let them steam-roller this through."

The public meeting will be held at the school on High Street from 6.30pm.

For more information about the campaign visit the website at www.friendsofstoneymiddletonschool.org.uk