Lafford DVD

From the Lincolnshire Echo, 26.4.08

Youngsters at a school threatened with closure have recorded a DVD to persuade education bosses that it should be kept open. A final decision on whether to close the Lafford High School, in Billinghay, near Sleaford, is expected within the next two weeks.

Lincolnshire County Council has said falling pupil numbers are forcing its hand and a phased closure by 2010 could be on the cards from this September. After repeated requests by pupils to meet face to face with policy makers, the council has asked the youngsters to record their views on camera.

The resulting three minutes of footage will now be presented to education leaders ahead of their final decision. Sonny Marland (13), one of the 15 pupils involved in the DVD said he hoped the decision takers would listen to their plea. "We have brilliant teachers and excellent education here," he said.

The DVD features the youngsters sitting around a table discussing their fears over the possible closure. Topics include concerns about teachers' jobs and what effect it will have on the village community. Fifteen-year-old Lafford pupil Ben Newton, who is in his final year at the school said: "The closure won't even affect me but that's not the point, I'm worried about the village as a whole."

A spokesman for the council said: "Listening to the views of young people is an important element of the work of children's services. "In response to young people at the Lafford, Peter Duxbury has invited them to record their views which he's looking forward to receiving."