Let's save our school

Written by Louise Bellicoso and published in Buxton Advertiser on Thu 26th Oct 2006

RESIDENTS and parents have joined forces to fight proposals to close a Hope Valley school.

More than 70 people attended a public meeting organised by the Friends of Stoney Middleton School last week to protest at plans to close the school.

Derbyshire County Council say Curbar Primary School has enough surplus places to accommodate all of the children currently at Stoney Middleton CE Primary and there are also places available at Eyam CE Primary School and Grindleford Primary School but parents say this would mean their children having to travel a mile and a half along the busy A623, one of the most dangerous roads in the country, according to the AA Motoring Trust.

Dulcie Jones, Chair of the Parents, Friends and Teachers Association, said several generations of Stoney Middleton families had attended the school: "The school is the centre of the village.

"It is the only building in the village that can be used for public events. The parish council meet there, the Women's Institute meet there, we run film evenings for the children there and more.

"To close the school would utterly rip the heart out of the village."

Members of the Save our School support group are currently writing to every member of the county council to voice their objections to the plans before the full meeting of the council on November 1.

The school currently has 21 pupils on its roll but has space for 47 and it currently costs £5,678 to educate each pupil at the school, more than double the Derbyshire average of £2,640.

Derbyshire County councillor Alan Charles, cabinet member for school planning and support said: "The consultation will look at all possible options for the future of the school. We are recommending the school 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."

A public meeting is being held at the High Street school on November 2 at 6.30pm and comments can be made in writing to the Strategic Director for Children and Younger Adults (ref DEV/DAH), Development Section, Derbyshire County Council, Chatsworth Hall, Chesterfield Road, Matlock, DE4 3FW or by emailing dee.hill@derbyshire.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is November 27.

The Friends of Stoney Middleton School have also set up a website at www.friendsofstoneymiddletonschool.org.uk.

By Louise Bellicoso

louise.bellicoso@buxtonadvertiser.co.uk

26 October 2006

Related Link:

Let's Save our school - Buxton Advertiser - 26th October 2006.