Letter to DDC from Joy & Paul Fox

(by Paul Fox <pfoxstony@aol.com> on 31st October 2006)

Dear Derbyshire County Councillor

We are writing to you to in protest at the possible demise of our Village School pending the outcome of your Consultation Paper commencing October 2006.

Having read a copy of the Report from the "Strategic Director for Children and Younger Adults" That was put before the Derbyshire County Council Cabinet on 17th October 2006 we would like to make the following comments.

1) The fact that this "Report" has emerged following the recent retirement of the Head Teacher at Stoney Middeton seems to smack of opportunism.

2) Not all parents have access to transport at school times so expecting young children even accompanied by adults to walk along the main A623 road to Calver is wholly unacceptable on safety grounds. This road is a nightmare for pedestrians and we would strongly suggest that councillors come to Stoney Middleton and walk to Calver or Eyam at 8.30am to see for themselves.

3) It is quite obvious that a small rural School like Stoney Middleton will cost more pro rata to educate children that the average for the county, we would hazard a guess that the cost per child at Calver & Eyam Schools is nearer to the cost at Stoney Middleton School than they are to the county average. If transport has to be provided to move kids to other schools would this additional cost bring the pro rata cost to a similar level to the other local schools? If it is a question of cost, at what point do we simple close all rural schools & ship all Junior School children into huge city schools?

4) The closure of the School would have wider implications to the fabric of Village life as it is the only meeting place in the village. This is used by a variety of organisations including WI, Welldressing committee, Stoney Middleton Interest & Leisure Enterprise and Horticultural Society to name but a few.

On a personal note our son was a pupil at Stoney Middleton and enjoyed his time there immensely. He had a difficult time with learning difficulties that were identified and addressed at Stoney Middleton School. He also had difficulties with illness which caused him to either not go to School or was fetched back from School more than 50 times in one year. Despite all this he completed his education which culminated in him receiving a Bsc in Computer Studies from Hallam University in November 2006. It was all built on the educational foundation started at Stoney Middleton School.

Yours sincerely

Joy & Paul Fox

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