STONEY SCHOOL TO REMAIN OPEN

Written by Richard Wooley and published in Matlock Mercury on Wed 16th May 2007

A COMMUNITY is today celebrating a victory for people power after learning its campaign has helped to save the village school from closure.

Residents in Stoney Middleton were overjoyed at today's (Monday's)announcement that the school is to remain open.

The schools adjudicator, Ms June Brown, rejected the Derbyshire County Council proposal that the school should close due to falling numbers, saying the case was not strong enough to outweigh the presumption against closing rural schools.

In coming to the decision, Ms Brown had also taken into account the

standard of education given at the school, future transport implications and the impact on the community of closing the village's only public venue.

Sue Bettney, chair of the Save Stoney School action committee, said: "We were told not to expect a decision until Friday so this came as a shock.

"But we are really happy. We didn't know which way it would go although we prayed for the adjudicator to side with us.

"What we need to do now is get on with educating our children and make sure we go from strength to strength at Stoney Middleton Primary School.

"And we need to ensure we maintain our good relationship with the education authority for the good of the children."

Residents of the village have campaigned tirelessly to save the school since closure plans were announced in October last year.

See this week's Mercury for in depth coverage and photographs

Last Updated: 15 May 2007