Shrewsbury’s Wakeman School is threatened with closure – to the anger of staff, parents and governors – in the latest round of council spending cuts.
The school is one of nine under threat in the county, which include Stiperstones Primary School and Shawbury’s St Mary’s Primary which would merge with Shawbury Primary.
Proposals on the latest round of school’s re-organisation was approved by Shropshire Council’s cabinet in November and consultation has taken place with schools, their communities and partners.
Cabinet members are due to discuss the plans on Tuesday and if they agree to proceed with the latest recommendations then consultation on proposals for any changes will start on February 28 and will last for six term-time weeks in accordance with Government guidelines.
Despite growing rumours and concern about the future of The Wakeman the news has shocked many.
Andy Rayment, chair of governors at the Wakeman School and Arts College, said: “We are extremely angry and upset by the Local Authority’s shortsighted plans for the school. We strongly disagree with the proposal to close the school.
“The Wakeman is one of the few truly inclusive schools in the town. This is a knee jerk reaction to what is a temporary dip in school numbers for the county,” he added.
Headteacher Karen Moore said pupils and staff were upset when told the news.
“We have very positive supportive comments from parents. They are very sad about the situation and we have had pupils in tears. Everyone seems very sorry that the Wakeman has been put in this position.”
Parents of pupils at the school are holding a meeting tonight, Thursday, to discuss what action can be taken. Facebook campaigns have been launched with more than 200 people adding their signatures so far.
Meanwhile at Stiperstones, near Shrewsbury, parents claim a closure would ‘kill’ their community.
Mother Joanne Elmes said many parents would fight to save the school.
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “The report is asking Cabinet to agree to consult on the proposals and I want to stress that at this stage no decisions have been made about the future of education in the county.
“This has been a cross-party project, with all political parties working together to look at education in Shropshire. We all recognise the need for change and for long term solutions that will provide Shropshire children with excellent education for years to come.”
By Anna Williams
Contact Us. This article posted on February 10, 2011, filed under News. Bookmark the permalink.