Background
On the 1st May 2009 Medway Council published the 'Primary Schools reorganisation in Medway' report, with proposals to consult on the closure of three schools and the amalgamation of sixteen others. This is just the start of Medway's fourteen year Primary Capital Programme; "Primary Strategy for Change 2008", with a long term vision to amalgamate all Infant and Junior Schools in Medway.
We ask where is our parental choice in their vision?
On the 12th May 2009 Medway Cabinet Council met to decide whether to approve the proposals for consultation. A protest was staged by the three schools proposed for closure at this meeting, to oppose the closures and make their views known to the Councillors. Despite this, the proposals were approved and the consultations were set to begin on the 10th June 2009.
We ask how Medway Council are 'serving us'?
On the 3rd June 2009 the Children and Adults Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to decide whether to allow the proposals to continue to consultation. Despite the arguements put forward by the affected schools and local councillors, it was agreed that the proposals would go to consultation. During question time the council was caught out lying more than once, by the Labour councillors. One Tory councillor, Reckless, who put forward a compelling arguement, then turned tail and voted with his own party!
We ask where are our democractic rights?
Support
Please sign our online petition which can be found on the links page and check out our downloads page for posters and other materials. Please also regularly check our events page and come and join us for these if you are able to.
We would like to thank the following for their support in this campaign:
National Union of Teachers, Medway Trades Council, National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers.