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Fairfield School closure will be bad for our children
CUTTING four Widnes secondary schools to three is strategically flawed, campaigners warned this week.
A trailblazing £100 million revolution by Halton Council could transform education for children aged 11 to 16, by creating bigger state-of-the-art buildings.
But Fairfield head teacher Jeff Hughes fears closing his small school could have serious repercussions for the future.
He said: "Evolution rather than revolution is better.
"They are changing things too dramatically.
"I would vouch for the benefits of a smaller community. Most parents prefer it."
Children thrive in smaller classes, he said, and exam results prosper.
"You know the children far better. Youngsters are not vying for places in teams.
"Smaller schools can be more responsive to individual chidlren's needs."
With the multi-million pound regeneration of Widnes Waterfront, new Mersey crossing, new housing, shops, freight development and increased immigration, he believes, four schools will be needed.
"The town will grow. Where will they find the land to build another school if it is needed?
"We are willing to explore options, we need partners, we can't do it on our own but no-one seems willing to work with us."
Parents fear increasing Wade Deacon to 1,500 pupils and Bankfield to 1,050, could have long term implications.
Mum Lynne Parsons said: "With all the development going on, we can't understand why they are closing this school.
"We're not going to give up."
Dad Colin Simm said: "Losing a Widnes school will limit choice and prejudiice future generations.
"The proposed sizes of the remaining schools are beyond a human school.
"3,000 will be at the Wade Deacon and SS Peter & Paul site."
Objections and comments can be sent to: Mr R Reaney, Operational Director (Legal, Organisational Development and Human Resource, Municipal Buildings, Kingsway, Widnes WA8 7QF, by April 3.
11:01am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ronnie, Runcorn on 11:47pm Wed 26 Mar 08
This will be a disaster for pupils. Brookvale and Norton Priory Comprehensives were merged in 2001 and although both of those schools received very good Ofsted reports, the combined school has been a disaster for the majority of pupils and has never recovered from this cash saving measure perpetrated by HBC.
Mediocrity will be the standard required of pupils and anything above that will be considered a bonus. I've seen it first hand at Halton High School, so don't let it happen in Widnes too.
This will be a disaster for pupils. Brookvale and Norton Priory Comprehensives were merged in 2001 and although both of those schools received very good Ofsted reports, the combined school has been a disaster for the majority of pupils and has never recovered from this cash saving measure perpetrated by HBC.
Mediocrity will be the standard required of pupils and anything above that will be considered a bonus. I've seen it first hand at Halton High School, so don't let it happen in Widnes too.
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