Consultation ignored on Abbeydale Grange

7th July 2009

PRESS STATEMENT.

"The result of "consult to closure of Abbeydale Grange" of today's
cabinet meeting is a huge blow to the children, parents and teachers in
this city. Yet again the results of a consultation process (that
recommended the school stayed open with a soft federation, that the
fabric of the school be invested in and a sixth form developed) has been
ignored. No wonder people have lost faith in the political process. All
schools are being judged against a single benchmark of narrowly defined
attainment. It ignores the aim for well balanced, emotionally secure
children to be at the heart of education. Abbeydale Grange excells in
this. No wonder the UK's children are the unhappiest in the develped
world. The Local Education Authority have failed our children in the
false choice agenda that pits school against school. They even fail to
take account of last weeks inspection report that since February said
that Abbeydale Grange was making good progress. The Green Party remain
in favour of small community schools and will continue to support the
school in the task of remaining open and retaining its unique ethic."

Cllr. Bernard Little (Green Party)

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