Another protest to save Monkscroft community primary school

On Tuesday, I again became a protester and to my horror the paper next day had a huge picture of me with a few others with a heading ready to fight.
I was a little embarrassed to say the least.
Strong winds and rain didn't stop people turning out to save Monkscroft school.

This is an article from Gloucestershire Echo.


The battle to save Monkscroft Community Primary School and nursery took to the streets yesterday.
More than 100 children, parents, teachers and councillors turned out for a second protest in a bid to halt the closure plans. The school has been told that to deal with falling pupil numbers it must form a federation with St Thomas More Primary or it could shut.
Angry parents waited in the playground for the end of school.At 3pm their children spilled out of the doors armed with homemade banners carrying the slogans Save Our Playgroup, Save Our School and Save Monkscroft.The infants led the pack as the march set off at 3.15pm for Coronation Square, Hester's Way.
Traffic stopped along Shakespeare Road to allow them to cross and drivers honked their horns in support.Chants of "Save Our School" bellowed out as the march turned the corner in Coronation Square.

Grandmother Jan Bishop joined as she pushed her grandson in his pushchair.Mrs Bishop said three generations of her family had attended the school and she wanted it to stay open for her great grandchildren."Rain, wind or shine we'll come out to defend it," she said. "I don't know why they have chosen us to pick on. They're not giving us chance to get our numbers up."
Parent Rhiannnone Taylor said: "It's heartbreaking but we're not beaten yet."Protesters kept up the chant and waved their banners outside the shops in the Square. Children blew whistles and honked horns.
For 10 minutes they stood in front of Farmfoods waving banners as the chants of "Save our school" got louder.
Coun John Webster (St Mark's, Lib Dem) joined protesters. He said a discussion with county council chief executive Peter Bungard had made him angry.
Coun Webster said: "It's clear that the Conservatives have a policy of keeping country schools open and closing those in the towns."But a good school is a good school.This one deserves to stay open and must."
Sir Charles Playgroup leader Cheralyn Randall said people should not forget that the nursery was also under threat."This is where the children make their friends," she said."Our playgroup is full and parents rely on us, so why close us down? The youngest children know what's happening now. They're frightened they'll be split up from their friends."
Headteacher Len Morris said the turnout proved the strength of support."We want our school to be here for future generations. We will keep fighting," he said.
Year 2 teacher Morna Clay said: "It's like a death threat which is damaging our admissions for September."They're causing the very problem they want us to address."Coun Mike Skinner (Lib Dem, St Mark's) was due to present a petition of 1,387 signatures to the council today.
He said he was confident he could convince fellow councillors to keep Monkscroft open.
The children continued to wave their banners as the protesters turned and marched back along Princess Elizabeth Way to the school, where they arrived at 3.35pm.
A consultation runs until April 28.

The Cabinet will make a final decision on June 7. The changes will be implemented by September 2008.


I wanted to share this with you because it really does sadden me schools in towns are being targeted while schools in villages seem to be being saved. This is especially happening in my local region. This school is the heart of a community which has a high rate for special needs which this school caters for.Parents know each other , teaching staff are friendly and approachable.
Most of all they have one of the best off-sted reports in the county , this proves the teachers are doing a great job and the children and benefiting from this.What a great start in education this gives them.

I would also like to point out St Thomas Moore which they ask our school to federate with is a catholic school and I personally cannot see this federation being possible, too many differences to overcome.
I certainly would have issues with my son having any catholic influence.That is a different issue and I won't even go there.