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Herefordshire Council is to meet with schools minister Jim Knight next month to put the county's case for the protection of rural schools.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of the council, and chief executive Chris Bull, have five important objectives for the meeting - scheduled for 12 March.
Firstly, they will promote the strength of public feeling to protect rural schools, reflecting the messages given by delegates from the Herefordshire Against Closing Schools (HACS) rally at a meeting with them last week (Wednesday 13 February).
Secondly, the council will again reaffirm to the minister its formal rejection of draft proposals for schools review and its firm undertaking that no secondary school closures or major reorganisations will be considered during the current administration, which effectively guarantees the status quo for high schools for as long as possible (at least until May 2011). The council will tell the minister that no primary schools will close in Herefordshire outside of the county's Small Schools Policy, which has been in place since 2004.
In providing clarity for the council's position, the council will seek clarity for the government's position. The government has called for all local authorities to undertake a review and has set targets for controlling surplus places, but following public protests has said that rural schools should be protected.
Importantly, the council will press for reassurances that Herefordshire will not be penalised financially for its stance, which is putting the emphasis on rural schools and communities, rather than the government deadline of June 2008 for a schools review.
Finally, the council will use the opportunity to lobby further for fairer funding for the county's schools, which are currently the third worst funded in the county, despite attaining outstanding educational results.
Councillor Roger Phillips said: "We want to promote our commitment that Herefordshire will do everything in its power to protect and develop Herefordshire schools and the communities that support and depend on those schools. I hope that parents feel that their rallying call of 'save our schools' has been well and truly heard by the council but it is vital that the government understands this too".
Council to meet minister to lobby for rural schools
19 February 2008
Herefordshire Council is to meet with schools minister Jim Knight next month to put the county's case for the protection of rural schools.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of the council, and chief executive Chris Bull, have five important objectives for the meeting - scheduled for 12 March.
Firstly, they will promote the strength of public feeling to protect rural schools, reflecting the messages given by delegates from the Herefordshire Against Closing Schools (HACS) rally at a meeting with them last week (Wednesday 13 February).
Secondly, the council will again reaffirm to the minister its formal rejection of draft proposals for schools review and its firm undertaking that no secondary school closures or major reorganisations will be considered during the current administration, which effectively guarantees the status quo for high schools for as long as possible (at least until May 2011). The council will tell the minister that no primary schools will close in Herefordshire outside of the county's Small Schools Policy, which has been in place since 2004.
In providing clarity for the council's position, the council will seek clarity for the government's position. The government has called for all local authorities to undertake a review and has set targets for controlling surplus places, but following public protests has said that rural schools should be protected.
Importantly, the council will press for reassurances that Herefordshire will not be penalised financially for its stance, which is putting the emphasis on rural schools and communities, rather than the government deadline of June 2008 for a schools review.
Finally, the council will use the opportunity to lobby further for fairer funding for the county's schools, which are currently the third worst funded in the county, despite attaining outstanding educational results.
Councillor Roger Phillips said: "We want to promote our commitment that Herefordshire will do everything in its power to protect and develop Herefordshire schools and the communities that support and depend on those schools. I hope that parents feel that their rallying call of 'save our schools' has been well and truly heard by the council but it is vital that the government understands this too".
