Letter from Rt HON Patrick McLouglin MP to Lyn Holyoake - Governor 1st November 2006

(by Webmaster <info@stoneymiddletonparishcouncil.org.uk> on 5th November 2006)

Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

1 November 2006

Dear Ms Holyoake

Thank you for contacting me about the possible closure of Stoney Middleton Primary School, I appreciate your viewpoint as a governor of the school. It is some time since the County Council last tried to close a village school in my constituency; it was Mugginton, near Ashbourne. Since fighting off that proposal, the numbers at the school have grown, and it is now a viable and successful school. Mugginton has a much smaller population than Stoney Middleton but ran a very effective campaign.

I am certainly opposed to the closure; village schools play a vital role in their communities, acting as a focus, particularly in Stoney where the buildings themselves are central to the village. One of the issues I am raising with the County Council is what their plans are for the buildings in the event of closure.

However, it is important that the whole community backs the campaign; one of the factors Derbyshire County Council must consider by law is the effect of such a closure on the local community. Stoney is in the unusual position of not having any other community buildings, so all community activities take place in the school.

I realise that geographically the school meets the council's closure criteria, being less than two miles from Curbar School. However, the route would be along the A623.

I receive more complaints about how dangerous that road is than almost any other in my constituency. The councils Highways Department must be only too aware of the problems with it.

I feel that already, the Council has not handled this very well at all. The way the governors were informed was disgraceful. Governors are all volunteers, giving their time and energy to the school, and it is they who have to face parents and staff, and indeed, the wider community in the village.

So far, I have written in very strong terms to Derbyshire County Council and the Secretary of State for Education. I have also offered to come to a meeting in the village; perhaps the action group and governors, to see if there is anything else I can do to help.

In the meantime, I will also forward to the Council any representations I receive from constituents.

Yours sincerely

Patrick McLouglin.

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