The County Council has published a list of possible school closures subject to discussion. Nearly 40 could be closed or amalgamated due to falling pupil numbers. Many are old, typically Victorian and must be expensive to run but others are more modern.

There has been a chorus of protest already from staff, governors and parents with some saying that the local school is the focus of the community etc.

A major part of the Council Tax we pay goes towards education and so we are paying for the running of these smaller schools, sometimes when there is a larger school nearby. Would you pay more to keep these schools open?

That is a valid point. It is just a shame that the schools that they are closing are often the better performing of the two. That is certainly the case in my village and from what I hear is true of more than a few of the others too.

Unfortunately our county council appears to be in such a financial hole that the standards of local education are economically inconsequential.

It seems that many County Councils nationally are doing much the same so it's not just a local problem. I read that if nothing is done then there could be 25% surplus capacity in schools by 2010. Many schools on the closure list date from Victorian times and must be expensive to run as well as being sub-standard regarding accommodation.

SCC website says:

"Shropshire, like many areas of the country, is facing the challenge of falling pupil numbers. If no action is taken then by 2012 there will be 5,450 unfilled places in our primary schools. Falling pupil numbers mean less funding coming to Shropshire to pay for education through Government grant. In addressing this key issue we have a unique opportunity to enhance primary education in Shropshire.

Our aim is to continue to provide high quality education for all Shropshire children through a sustainable network of primary schools.

The role of schools in providing education and access to other services for children and families is changing and we have to adapt to this change. It is a challenge that no authority takes lightly. We have a responsibility to ensure that our school provision is sustainable, provides high quality education, value for money and importantly offers opportunities for all children."

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So their own criteria are that there aren't enough pupils, they want to save money and provide higher quality education. Why then, for my village, are they closing the over subscribed school, why are they spending money on extending the school that they are keeping to accommodate the new pupils, and why are they closing the school that achieves far higher test results in English, maths and science than the school that they are keeping?

They have set out three criteria and in the case of my village they stunningly ignore all three. How is government able to manipulate the truth so publicly and brazenly and get away with it? I just don't get it. :blink: