Good News From The Stoney Middleton School Action Group

10.43.48am GMT Wed 14th Mar 2007

Our last newsletter explained that the School Organisation Committee would meet on the 8th March. The committee is made up of a group of governors from across schools in Derbyshire, representatives from the Roman Catholic Diocese, representatives from the Church of England Diocese and, of course, the Local Authority group.

At the meeting the council put forward their case for closure proposals, then we put our case forward which, although we say it ourselves, was spectacular.

Afterwards each group on the committee went into separate rooms to make a collective decision. This was a nail-biting time for us.

The governors group and the Church of England representatives opposed the council and supported us on the basis of the effect closure would have on our village and the hazardous nature of the road.

This is the best outcome we could have wished for at this stage.

As the decision was two for and two against (a brilliant outcome), an Independent Schools Adjudicator will be appointed who will make the final decision about the councils proposals for closure. (The Local Authority needed a unanimous vote to close the school without further recourse). We all left County Hall feeling very happy with the outcome.

We do not yet know when this will be or who that person is. The person appointed may wish to hold a public meeting. We will let you know.

Thank you to all who attended the meeting last Thursday - it was a fantastic turnout.

Thank you to everyone who spoke at the meeting.

Thank you to everyone for the letters and emails you sent to the council objecting to the proposals.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.

We will let you know what happens next.