The Future of Stoney Middleton Primary School - Peter and Wendy Griffith - former residents and parents of three ex-pupils

(by Webmaster <info@stoneymiddletonparishcouncil.org.uk> on 29th October 2006)

Dear Councillor,

We no longer live in Stoney Middleton, having moved away three years ago. Nevertheless, we feel sufficiently strongly about the School to write to you to urge you turn down any proposal to close it.

Our three daughters were all educated at the School, benefiting in academic and pastoral terms from the interest and support it provided. They all transferred successfully to Lady Manners, achieved good results at GCSE "O " and "A" Levels and went to university. All three graduated with 2.1 degrees and are gainfully employed. We feel their development was, in no small measure, due to their early schooling and know of a number of other young people who benefited in a similar fashion.

We feel it would be highly detrimental to the welfare of future generations of village children to do away with a successful institution which has made such a valuable contribution to the community. Over and above its prime function, the School is the only meeting place in the village and is the base for most village organisations and activities. It is a key element in community life and you should weigh carefully the impact of its closure in these terms, not just cost savings.

Two other points you should consider. The idea of small children being walked to and from Calver in the Winter is really unpalatable and the projections about pupil numbers should be treated with scepticism. In our experience the numbers fluctuated considerably from year to year, with quite often the arrival of two or three families making a considerable difference.

Please reflect on the damage you will do to the village if you close the School and preserve this deserving and high performing institution.

Peter and Wendy Griffiths

petergriffiths@breathe.co.uk

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