Couple’s fears over school

A couple who are helping to bring up their young grandson after the death of both of his parents in road accidents are now fighting to keep his school at Maesbury, near Oswestry, open.

Mo Edwards and husband John are in their late sixties and have lived in Maesbury Marsh for 37 years. They are worried about the impact closure would have.

“We are particularly concerned about the closure of all rural schools as these are the heart of the small isolated communities throughout sparsely populated Shropshire,” said Mrs Edwards.

“Of course, our particular worry is the closure of Maesbury Primary school which our grandson attends, who has special needs.

“He lives with us due to tragic circumstances: the death of his mother and father some five years ago, so this puts us clearly back into the education spectrum and intent on getting the best for our grandson, and of all children being educated at these small schools.”

Mrs Edwards said Maesbury school was always working to full capacity and had an excellent Ofsted report.

There was a waiting list to for places. She added: “None of the children leave Maesbury not being able to read.

“Incidentally, Maesbury has just opened a new Post Office, against all national trends, and now the school is under threat.”

She has several points which she is urging Ann Hartley, county council cabinet member for children’s services, and the authority, to consider.

“Why are they making these proposals, when the main issue is to get the appropriate funding for Shropshire children?” asked Mrs Edwards.

“When you look at the percentages of children attending these schools who are ‘out of area’, one has got to ask why are parents taking their children to these smaller schools?

“Why should the primary schools who are full to their capacity lose out to the larger primaries who are clearly not attracting their full quota for their available spaces?”

Mrs Edwards added: “It is totally wrong to let a Conservative controlled council have the ultimate decision to take these proposals forward.

“It should be the decision of all councils and of all parties.

“‘No child will have to travel more than six miles’. How does this fit in with the Government strategy of walking children to school to prevent carbon footprints?

“How is Shropshire going to maintain, or in fact attract, teaching staff when schools are under threat of closure?” she asked.

“No one will want to teach in Shropshire, the remaining schools will also go into a decline.”