Closure notice put up outside Yate school (From Gazette Series)

Closure notice put up outside Yate school

11:15am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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CLOSURE notices were put up outside a Yate primary school this week, two months ahead of schedule, in a move that has shocked the local community.

The beginning of the end for Rodford Primary School, on Barnwood Road, was signalled by the erection of signs to notify people of South Gloucestershire Council’ plans to close the school under a reorganisation programme.

The authority officially launched a six-week consultation period on Monday, after announcing its intention to close the school following a previous review of falling pupil numbers at both Rodford and nearby Kings Court Primary School.

The closure notice was expected to be issued in September but its early publication means half of the public consultation period will take place during the school summer holidays.

Northavon MP Steve Webb, who has supported the campaign to save the school, said the timing was a ‘disgrace’.

He said: "It is a disgrace that the council is running a so-called consultation about closing a school over the summer holiday period. "This is a huge decision which will have a big impact on hundreds of children and families and yet their chance to have their say is being undermined by the council. "Half of the period is during the summer holidays when many families will be away. This is bound to reduce the amount of feedback that the council gets." Education officer Tony Saunders said: "After very careful thought, it has been decided that there would be advantages in publishing the statutory notice as soon as possible.

"It would reduce the period of uncertainty, particularly for parents, children and staff, even if, inevitably, some will be unhappy about the proposed final outcome.

"It would enable a final decision to be made before parents have to submit their application for reception places to be taken up in September 2010.

" If the reorganisation is finally approved, it will allow a longer period for preparation for the new arrangements to come into effect in September 2010."

He added: "Clearly, in all this, we are very concerned with both school communities, both in terms of resolving the current position as reasonably and sensitively as possible, while preparing for change."

A letter announcing the six-week deadline for comments to be received was sent out to all parents, governors and staff at Rodford this week.

Chairman of governors Jackie Robertson said the council’s findings on both schools was flawed.

She said: "The governing body and community of Rodford are shocked by the inconsistencies, inaccuracies and poor quality of the information.

"Governors have identified the inaccuracies and suppositions in the report and believe that a detailed and informed response should be provided before any final decision is taken."

She said there was no evidence that Kings Court would be able to absorb the number of pupils from Rodford and said issues such as road safety had not been considered."

The school is expected to close at the end of the summer term next year.