Page 14 - link magazine

14 The Link Magazine • May 2005
EPB agrees Salt Way Primary
should close at Christmas. Another
could shut after more talk

Swindon's independent Education Partnership Board (EPB) on 14
April supported a Swindon Council education department proposal
that Salt Way Primary School in Middleleaze should be closed and
further discussions should take place on the future of Freshbrook,
Windmill Hill and Toothill Primary Schools.
This means that Westlea, Shaw tion department are concerned
Ridge and Brook Field primary with the management and leader-
schools are safe, having been in ship of the school, confirmed by an
the frame for closure as part of a Ofsted report (see page 18).
consultation exercise to find ways Lynda Stevens, senior teaching
of removing 650 surplus places assistant at Salt Way, given the
predicted across West Swindon chance to address Board, told
primary schools in 2009. members that the school had been
Tregoze and Peatmoor prima- let down by Swindon. "Staff and
ries were not included in the dis- parents cannot believe it has come
cussion. to this. The quality of leadership
At the public meetings officers has been a concern for years. The
and councillors explained they education department have been
were taking a pro-active approach well aware of the problems and
to the problem by looking at how have done nothing," she said.
funding could be
redirected to-
wards develop-
ing extended
schools which
i ncorporate
health and social
service provi-
sion, and also
more facilities
for community
activities.
The EPB rec-
ommendation
went to Swindon
Council's cabi-
net on 20 April,
New Season after The Link
went to press. If
r
agreed there will First day of te m, 11 April. Salt Way chair of governors
Steve Spence hands out letters to parents from Swindon
be a formal pre- Council explaining the closure proposal
New Look statutory consul- chair of governors at Salt Way
tation as to the closure of Salt Way
Before the meeting Steve Spence,
Primary and Nursery from 1 Janu-
ary 2006. School, was highly critical of the
The meetings with parents pro- consultation process. "There has
Treat yourself to a duced no clear picture as to been a conspiracy against Salt Way
whether Toothill or Freshbrook or or it's been a cock-up. At least, the
mini make-over at Windmill Hill should close. The officers and members have acted
EPB will consider a report on fur-
unprofessionally.
ther discussions with parents, gov- "Councillors were saying things
ernors and staff in September. at the Brook Field and Shaw Ridge
Councillor Gary Perkins, cabi-
PARTNERS T net lead member for Education, parents' meetings which made it
clear that Salt Way would close.
"Then why did the news come
j -HAIR &BEAUTY- said, "the Salt Way roll has been out during the Easter holiday,
dropping for several years because
parents have been choosing other when officers were away, and we
West Swindon Centre Tel: 01793 870462 schools. The support at the public couldn't advise staff and parents?
meeting and written comments "Parents have not known what
made the decision clear cut. is going on, the children are upset
"This isn't the case for Toothill, and staff are very angry."
Freshbrook or Windmill Hill where How other local schools will ab-
we want to look at the numbers sorb the 180 Salt Way children will
Re-style or cut and the needs of the community be revealed after the cabinet deci-
10% "It is essential we come up with admission department have been
& blow dry and with governors, parents and staff. sion. School offices and the LEA
make-over discount with this the best for children in the short flooded with enquiries from anx-
Normally £55 voucher and medium term and also the ious parents. One headteacher
requirements in 10 to 20 years." awaiting to be informed of the coun-
o^o The EPB heard that, apart from cil's management plan told The Link,
Salt Way's falling roll, the educa- 'uncertainty leads to panic.'