The time for action was 2008
In 2008 after the famous Education Rally in Hereford that followed the council threat to close 17 primary and 2 secondary schools the Conservatives promised two things.
1. To seek extra funding from government
2. To develop ways of safeguarding the County’s network of small rural schools
They may well have attempted the first, though their attempts were unsuccessful[1], but until recently they have done nothing about the second.
Left without leadership many schools have attempted to secure their futures using a number of strategies. These include forming federations with other schools and going for independence from the Council altogether by becoming Academies.
Said Cllr Sharon Michael, (St Nicholas Ward, Hereford) It’s Our County spokesperson for education:
“The time to act was back in 2008, after the shambles of the Schools Review. The Conservatives failed to do so and, under the influence of the previous Director of Children’s Services, left small schools to wither and die one by one. As a consequence, things have moved on. The whole landscape has changed. By the time of the next local elections in 2015, funding school provision will be very different to what it is now and the Council must adjust if it is to have any influence on education in the County.”
It’s Our County will be closely following the changes and developing its policy on how best to serve each child in the county, through its newly formed Education Policy Committee.
[1] Herefordshire receives £4724 per child per annum, compared to the national average figure of £5083. Herefordshire is 123rd in a list of 151 authorities, on a scale of 1 receiving most money and 151 the least.