CHESHIRE County Council has faced a fierce backlash after announcing a raft of closures and reorganisations affecting eight primary schools.
Radical options to overhaul education in the borough, unveiled for public consultation last week, mean four primary schools are under severe threat of closure with two more facing reductions in pupil numbers. Another two are being encouraged to consider federation with concerns over their futures if they decide to reject this option.
The Express has been inundated with messages from outraged parents, governors, councillors and MP Sir Nicholas Winterton.
Mr Winterton said: “The proposals which have been put forward indicate a total ignorance of the area. There has been little, or no, consultation with the local churches and the location of schools, parking difficulties and the size of each site do not seem to have been considered.
“While I understand that the current county proposals are just the beginning of a consultation process, it does appear that too little thought and consideration has been given to the best interests of junior education in areas such as Bollington and South Macclesfield.”
Children’s Services Executive Member, County Councillor David Rowlands, said: “Unfortunately it’s a problem we must address when the audit committee tells us that we are not using our money efficiently. I accept that it could be a lack of choice for the parents and children, but we are trying to do our best for each and every child. We want parents to be involved with the consultation.
“At the moment, money is being ploughed into overheads and buildings when there could be money going into education rather than maintenance costs.”
Coun Rowlands could not guarantee there would be no redundancies but maintained CCC had a good record when it came to finding staff new positions.
He said: “There will be few, if any, redundancies but that won’t happen suddenly, they will be made over four or five years.”
If the options are implemented, St Barnabas CE and St Edward’s RC schools in Macclesfield will close along with either Bollington Cross or Bollington St John’s CE primary schools.
Macclesfield South Ward Councillor Brian Puddicombe said: “St Barnabas and St Edward’s have made a very valuable contribution to the on-going work to address and solve some of the social problems on the Moss Estate. To lose both schools would be a real setback that we cannot afford.”
Ivy Bank and Puss Bank primary schools could face a possible reduction of pupil capacity to 210.
Macclesfield East Councillor David Neilson said: “It takes away choice. Parents should continue to have the choice of sending their children to Puss Bank school if they wish as it is such a good school.
“Within the catchment area for Puss Bank planning permission for over 200 new homes has been given. Where are these children going to go, if there is a cap on the numbers of admissions to Puss Bank?”
East Cheshire Green Party and Puss Bank parent, John Knight said: “The proposal to close both St Barnabas and St Edwards would leave the whole High Street/Maple Road area without a local primary school, with all the additional car journeys to Parkroyal, Ash Grove and St Albans that would inevitably result. Also, being the only Roman Catholic school in town would have the effect of reducing diversity at St Albans, as few places would then be available for non-Catholic children.”
Macclesfield Ivy Councillor Andrew Knowles said: “The local government review decision is coming up and what slightly annoys me is the county council say we just make cuts in schools, but they are spending lots of money on solicitors and barristers if that goes to appeal. Surely we should wait until there is an East and West council.”
Bosley St Mary’s and Wincle CE primary schools have been asked to consider federation.
Sutton Councillor Hilda Gaddum said: “I am extremely worried about it as they are five miles apart and the A54 is one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
“Wincle has also got a building programme with a new classroom.
“It does depends on what a soft federation is, but I am very worried about it as the county council, with the best will in the world, will not be aware of the weather conditions.”
But, Coun Rowlands added: “They are two comparatively isolated schools and it does not make sense to close them, so children and staff can only benefit.
“The schools can combine and staff can share experiences as teachers with a certain area of expertise can teach in the other school so children of both schools with benefit.”
We'll have special coverage on the shock announcement and how local schools will be affected by the re-organisation throughout the week - click here to go our Education section from tomorrow (Thursday).
