Wakeman School meeting puts heat on education chiefs

A former student of Shrewsbury's under-threat Wakeman secondary school issued a rallying call to parents, teachers and students at a packed public meeting: "We may be a small school, but we think big".

Alan Gregory, who now works at the Wakeman School in Shrewsbury where he was previously a pupil, made the impassioned comments at a heated public meeting last night as he told education chiefs why he believes it should stay open.

His comments generated one of the biggest cheers of the night.

They followed a number of emotional statements from parents, teachers, councillors, students and business owners all determined to fly the flag for the school which is threatened with the axe under Shropshire Council plans to overhaul the county's education system.

Many phrases were repeated throughout the night describing the Wakeman as a "jewel in the crown" as well as a "centrepiece" and the "heart of the town".

Applause filled the school hall in support of public speakers sending out rallying cries to protect the school during the two-hour long meeting.

It followed a short presentation from David Taylor, Shropshire Council's director of children's services, outlining the proposals.

He said there were too many schools in the county operating at basic "satisfactory" level and young people were not making the progress they ought to be.

"My job is to get the best deal I can for the children in Shropshire," said Mr Taylor.

"Education will go through a time of austerity and schools are going to be hard-up, despite the issue of falling numbers."

Mr Taylor said the number of surplus spaces at the Wakeman was rising and figures showed there were currently 348 unfilled spaces at the school.

Further figures suggested there were a total of 800 unfilled spaces across the six council-run secondary schools in Shrewsbury.

Mark Carolan, who has three children at the Wakeman, said not enough councillors were showing a "backbone" to stick up for the school.

And head boy Matthew Davies demanded the cabinet visit the school and meet students face-to-face before making a decision.

Council chiefs including Councillor Aggie Ceasar-Homden, cabinet member for children and young people's services; John Rowley, principal school improvement adviser; and Tim Smith, assistant director for children and young people's services, attended the meeting.

Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents the town centre, spoke from the floor.

He said college pupils brought vibrancy, energy and money to the town and described the school as "immensely rich and cultural".

Alyson Lanning, director of the Hive music and media centre, said: "If we lose the school it will take the heart out of the town centre."

Twelve-year-old student Heather McCarnun said: "I only recently came to this school to escape from being bullied. I'm now a changed person and when I look around I see hope in the other kids' eyes."

By Sam Pinnington