Shropshire MPs claimed today the future of county schools was “absolutely secure” and warned of “siren voices” causing alarm among parents.
Conservatives Philip Dunne, Owen Paterson, Daniel Kawczynski and Mark Pritchard have taken the unique step of writing a joint open letter to Shropshire Star explaining why they believe schools are safe from closure.
Their action follows the decision of the county council last week - amid a mass protest at the Shirehall - to drop plans to begin consultations on the proposed closure of 22 primary schools, though it was agreed to proceed with consultations on the amalgamations of 16 other schools.
Later in the day a Shropshire delegation met Schools Minister Jim Knight to press for extra funding.
“Last week was a tremendous week for people power in Shropshire,” say the MPs.
“We have stopped school closures. We have secured an offer of help from the Government both in the long term with a new funding formula and in the short term with various avenues of funding open to the county council.
“We have a black and white statement from the Government listing all our schools that the minister does not want closed.”
But the MPs warn: “Some siren voices are claiming that last week’s decision is merely a temporary deferral and parents need to be on their guard. This is very dangerous talk which raises anxiety in parents.”
They also say the minister seemed shocked by the impact of the funding allocation on rural schools.
8 Comments
A grand statement - But Shropshire County Coucil are still pushing adhed with consultation on the closure of Oakland Primary School under the guise of a merger with Longmeadow. Can these MP’s confirm that Oakland will not close and is as safe as they claim ??
Are these MPs of this world ? an amalgamation of two schools means a school will close, so there assertions are complete nonsense and the people of shropshire shold remember come election time. As for describing those concerned parents and teachers as “sirens” who wish to protect their childrens eduction, i suggest that its the politicians that are the sirens by suggesting all is well when it patently is not
Jon and Fred should read the article in full. We are quite clear that the 22 schools originally listed for closure are not now going to close.
The consultation over 16 amalgamations will continue. We refer to those which are controversial, such as Lydbury North/Clunbury and Oaklands/Longmeadow and specifically said : “Those opposed by the local community are hard to justify now closure of other village primaries has been abandoned.”
Those telling communities around the 22 schools that they remain under threat, risk damaging the prospects for those schools, if parents are so concerned that they withdraw their children or potential parents decide to register their child at another school.
And since when did we trust the word of politicians? Keep up the public pressure
Shropshire council has made a decision to close these schools - they WILL close them regardless of public opinion - the only thing that has changed is the time scale
I haven’t heard such rubbish from an elected representative since Norman Tebbit retired! Or such lazy journalism since I last read the Spectator!
A few moments research on the internet and I found Jim Knight’s letter, but apparently the Star couldn’t (or didn’t want to spoil a good story with the truth).
Jim Knight says “It is not our intention that no rural school should ever close … closure can be justified … when an alternative school can offer superior facilities”.
How many pounds did any of our proud MPs bring back from London? Do I hear none? What the Tory MPs want is the children of honest working people in classes of 29 at Coleham to keep subsidising classes of 18 for the professional classes at Oakland, in classes of 28 in Craven Arms to subsidise classes of 18 for the worried middle class in Lydbury North. It’s time the silent majority in the large schools stood up for itself.
‘Siren voices threaten and risk damaging the prospects for those schools’ What concerned parents and community activists threaten school’s futures? Not announcements by a Tory lead council that get reversed within days, and in so-doing create the worry of people in the first place? Tory MPs didn’t defeat these ludicrous proposals, people did.
But the new (December) policy is still in place so the council can bring closures back onto the agenda as soon as it feels it can