Bell Primary School

Parents launch legal bid to save threatened Dales middle schools

By Steven Bell and Kate Proctor.

A LAST-ditch legal bid has been launched to stop a council closing two Dales schools.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has been served court papers following its decision to shut both Ingleton and Settle middle schools in 2012.

It is the first time the authority has faced such a legal challenge.

The closure plan – part of a move to change from a three-tier to a two-tier education system – was rubber stamped in February despite opposition from parents.

The authority cited falling pupil numbers and the financial viability of the schools to underpin its closure decision.

But campaigners claim the decision was made before their views were considered and are taking the fight to court.

Kevin McSherry, chairman of Save the North Craven three-tier system committee, said: “We believe that the review process was pre-determined from the outset and went through a process that looked like a review without taking notice of people’s opinions.

“I am sure the council saw the responses but their attitude was we are going to do it anyway.”

Currently, the middle schools take children aged 10 to 13 and many families believe they provide a valuable experience for rural children between primary and secondary school.

Under the new plan, they will transfer straight from primary school, at the age of 11, to Settle College, which is being expanded.

Fellow committee member Liam Dillon said the group had been left with no option but to challenge the decision through the courts.

He said: “Councillors said the community was split roughly 50/50 over the proposals, but we believe two petitions with almost 2,000 signatures against were buried in the final report.

"If they were made obvious, it would have shown clearly the outrage at the closures.

“People are under the impression the council’s decision is done and dusted – but we have one more option so we’ve got to try.”

Campaigners have made an emergency application for legal aid to fund the case in the event that a judicial review is granted.

Solicitors acting on behalf of the committee have also waived some legal fees.

A council spokeswoman said it was the first time that the county has been challenged in this way.

She denied the committee’s accusations and said every public response was submitted to the executive before the decision.

Neston rallies to the Primary School Bell Fund | Fundraising Firms

Neston rallies to the Primary School Bell Fund Staff, pupils and parents at Neston Primary School have been touched at the response from the community following the recent theft of the school bell.

Over Whit weekend, thieves stole the 100-year-old bell and a number of lead roof tiles, causing damage that will cost in the region of £13000 to repair, including the cost of replacing the bell itself.

Since the incident was reported members of the community have been rallying round to help.  Local businesses were quick to respond, with collection buckets in Sainsbury’s and Tracey’s Food Hall; donations from ice cream sales at Marietos Cafe; buckets donated by Rightway and offers of raffle prizes.  A collection was also made at the CH64 Big Lunch on June 5th.

The pupils themselves have also been full of ideas and offers of help.  Head Teacher Rob Golding explains: “Some of the pupils have collected from family and friends and raised between £14 and £80. The majority of donations are from parents and friends of the school. We’ve also had donations of items to raffle or sell from parents and some local businesses.

“The children are desperate to raise some money – they had too many ideas!  So we have decided to concentrate on a Car Wash (Saturday 18th June, 9am-4pm), a Summer Fair (Friday 24th June, 3.30-5.00pm), selling small bells to wear (to show your support) and a beat the goalie competition at lunch time – but instead of a goalie there will a bell hanging from the crossbar which the children will have to try and hit to make it ring.”

Local Cheshire West Councillors Andy Williams and Louise Gittens have each donated £1000 from their Member’s Budgets for this year.

Sainsbury’s staff dress up to raise funds for Neston Primary

At Sainsbury’s in Neston this week many of the store colleagues will be dressing up as pupils, teachers and dinner ladies. There are collection buckets at the end of the tills, and an ongoing raffle. Some have also volunteered to help with the school car wash day. Store manager John Ruth said: “This is great idea. I love to see the customers’ faces when they do a double take!”

Pupils at Neston High School are planning a Cake Sale this week to assist with the fundraising effort.

Past pupils have also set up a Facebook page, where ideas are flowing thick and fast.  Follow this link to see more.

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