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."

URGENT REQUEST

Dear All,

As I invited the "decision makers" to come and meet the students of which they are making the decision on the future of the school, I have been tasked with making a DVD for which those councillors will watch on our school's behalf. Between the student's opinions I want to state as many facts as possible against the closure of the school.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I would greatly appreciate all and any points of view and FACTS about the impact on students, community and environment as possible. We must be able to back these facts up with evidence though! If we put our heads together I'm sure we will be able to put a complete argument together for their digestion!

Obviously time is of the essence, and I would need this pdq.

Thanks in advance - please email me directly.

tena.wells@tiscali.co.uk

May 6th Open Meeting at Council Chambers

If at all possible it would be really good for as many people to attend this meeting at the Main Council Chambers. Details as follows:

Lafford High School decision on Tuesday May 6th by Executive 10.30am, Main Council Chamber at Newlands, Lincoln. Open to the public, of course.

I do hope you will join me :-) Thanks, too, to each of the 86 signatories on the PM's e-petition for the Lafford High.