Save the Lafford

More from the media

2008-07-14T17:14:00.004+01:00

Echo 2nd JulyEcho 1st JulyComments in the EchoMore commentYou can still sign our petition to the Prime Minister here. It closes on the 25th of August. Speak out while you can. There are still many unanswered questions that Lincolnshire County Council hope that the people of Billinghay will forget about. The future use of the site of the Lafford High is still to be revealed. Anyone have a clue?

Echo and BBC

2008-05-07T10:58:00.002+01:00

Today's article in the Lincolnshire Echo.And comments...BBC Online News

Poor decision by Lincolnshire County Council Executive Committee

2008-05-06T17:34:00.004+01:00

What can I say? Having witnessed a very interesting procedure, based no doubt on 'closed shop secrets and lies' I am ashamed to be a citizen of this country. Really I am. I do NOT often feel this way. Men in suits without a smile between them, made decisions based on sometimes spurious anecdotal evidence to CLOSE THE LAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL. As far as I am aware (based on the level of intelligent

Video Appeal

2008-05-06T17:32:00.000+01:00

Tuesday May 6th 2008

2008-05-06T02:30:00.001+01:00

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

Lafford DVD

2008-04-26T19:44:00.002+01:00

From the Lincolnshire Echo, 26.4.08Youngsters 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

URGENT REQUEST

2008-04-22T10:36:00.002+01:00

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

May 6th Open Meeting at Council Chambers

2008-04-21T12:56:00.004+01:00

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.

Huge transport costs if Lafford pupils go to other schools

2008-04-13T22:38:00.002+01:00

Taken from the Sleaford Standard EDITOR - I am writing with regard to the proposed closure of the Lafford High School in Billinghay and the consequent proposal to bus secondary school pupils to either Sleaford, Ruskington or Tattershall schools.

Thanks...

2008-04-13T22:33:00.001+01:00

... to each of the 72 signatories in support of the Lafford High petition to the PM. Please join us.

Consultation response

2008-04-10T15:08:00.003+01:00

Mr DuxburyWe are committed to the regeneration of this village and very much against the planned closure of the school for the following reasons:• The school caters for local children who want to go to a local school.• Many of the children at the school have specifically chosen a small school, because their needs are better met in this environment.• In a small school, the pupils feel the

Please post your comments...

2008-04-02T22:44:00.001+01:00

... from Thursday's Public Meeting. Thanks.

Petition

2008-04-01T23:45:00.000+01:00

If you would like to sign the petition, please click here!Keep up the pressure, encourage everyone you know to support the school and the future of small schools.Thanks everyone, a week into the petition and we have 55 names :-)

Public Meeting 3rd April @ 6.00pm

2008-03-31T17:32:00.005+01:00

A public meeting will be held at the school on Thursday 3 April at 6.00pm as part of the consultation on the proposed phased closure of the Lafford High School. Please attend.

Another letter

2008-03-26T19:47:00.002Z

From the Sleaford StandardEDITOR-As the parent of a child at the Aveland High School, Billingborough, I support the opinions expressed last week by a Lafford High School parent that pupils are 'cherry-picks' for St George's.I am in no doubt that St George's College of Technology is an excellent facility, but so is the Aveland High School. In my opinion this amalgamation of schools has had nothing

2008-03-26T19:00:00.003Z

Figures for you to peruse. It can be found here.

Petition the Prime Minister

2008-03-25T14:57:00.005Z

The Lafford High School, Billinghay in rural Lincolnshire, is NOT a failing school. It is one of the most improved schools in the country. It has wonderful members of staff and lovely children. Many have additional needs which require extra support and a caring environment, which the school provides very well. We are now faced with closure. The staff, governors and parents are committed to the

Chairman of Governors and Children's Services Director: Their views

2008-03-21T12:50:00.002Z

From the Sleaford StandardDEREK Daniels, chairman of governors at Lafford High School, has vowed that the fight to save the school goes on.He said: "Mr Watson listened to what was said at the meeting and he has given the parents what they want. He has answered their wishes so parents have got a chance to keep the school open and the fight continues." He added: "I would like to thank Paul, St

Lafford's numbers have to add up

2008-03-21T12:25:00.002Z

From the Sleaford StandardEDITOR – I attended the meeting on March 6 at the Lafford High School, Billinghay to discuss the proposal by the governors to close the school. Understandably, passions were running very high. I attended the Lafford High School many years ago and I have very fond memories of my time spent there under the headship of Mr Padgett.In the last few years since the Lafford High

School closure will drive families away

2008-03-21T12:00:00.000Z

I found much encouragement and hope in this letter, for it talks of community. It talks about the difficult path of standing up for justice. My community, your community, our community. Thanks so much, Don.Again from the Sleaford Standard (who, by the way, have been very supportive. Thank you.)EDITOR – I'm trying to relate the comments of Secretary of State Ed Balls to what is happening at the

Simple arithmetic

2008-03-17T18:29:00.002Z

From the figures on record:The school in Tattershall has 52 surplus spaces.The school in Ruskington has 11 surplus spaces.The school in Sleaford has 0 spaces (due to an excess of 94)52+11+0=63Number of places needed for Lafford children = 268268-63=205That leaves 205 children from the Lafford needing to be provided for. If they all left TODAY, they would be without a school place. Perhaps that

Monday's Echo

2008-03-17T12:48:00.004Z

MP joins fight !?! As reported in today's Lincolnshire Echo. I wonder if Mr Balls will get involved.If 'caring parents 101020' figures are accurate (see post below), and I have no reason to doubt they are, there aren't enough places for all the children The Lafford currently holds, to go to!Looks like the biggest school has numbers in excess of the allocated NOR, so what is going to happen to the

Let's take a closer look

2008-03-17T11:52:00.003Z

NOT FALLING ROLLS BUT AN INCREASEThe Lafford High School has had a 43.5% increase in pupil numbers from 2002 to 2008.The Lincolnshire School Organisation Plan downloads of years 2002-2007, 2003-2008, 2004-2009 supplement, 2005-2010 update, 2006-2011 update and 2007- 2012 update, state the numbers on roll at the Lafford High School.The numbers on roll (NOR) for The Lafford High School were:January

An open letter

2008-03-16T17:45:00.002Z

An open letter regarding the proposed closure of The Lafford High School, BillinghayAs a happy resident of Billinghay since 2002, I am unwilling to just lie down and accept that the local secondary school should just shut up shop and disappear. There are still many unanswered questions, many of which your journalists may have ways of investigating.In a recent letter (dated 11.3.08) to parents,

Reminder

2008-03-14T23:33:00.002Z

'Caring Parents 101020' have posted a reminder (see below) that Peter Duxbury's letter requires responses if we are so engage in real dialogue. Please contact him directly or email me with comments which I can add to mine."This is an important letter, which needs our responses to make a difference. Our views by letter need to be received by Peter Duxbury (Director of Children’s Services) by the

First they came...

2008-03-14T17:07:00.002Z

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew.Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant.Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Thank you

2008-03-14T16:48:00.005Z

Were you one of the people who went to see Douglas Hogg, MP? Please let us know how you got on.... well done to all you courageous people.I would like to say a special thank you at this time to the staff of The Lafford High School in particular, as they have acted with tremendous dignity following the recent announcements. It has been very difficult for you as many risk losing your livelihoods.

Acting Headteacher and new minisite

2008-03-13T21:18:00.005Z

The Executive Headteacher of the Lafford has resigned following the open meeting on 6th March. That means that there is an Acting Headteacher now in place, with responsibility for the on site running of the school. Parents have been informed today.Executive Head resignsSadie Lawlor of the Sleaford Standard has kindly let me know that there is now a SAVE THE LAFFORD minisite on their website. You

Letter to parents

2008-03-12T22:49:00.005Z

This letter highlights several issues which have serious implications for the village as a whole, the wider community and for the communities of Tattershall, Ruskington and Sleaford. Paragraph five (Page 1) makes bizarre assumptions about minimum sizes of groups, which are totally unsubstantiated. I would like some evidence for this, please. Any other responses?

Billinghay Children's Centre

2008-03-12T18:38:00.007Z

From the Sleaford Standard"A facility to provide health and childcare needs for young children is progressing well. A new purpose-built children's centre, which will share the same site as Billinghay Primary School, is nearing completion. The centre will cater for the needs of families in the area with children aged up to five.Coun Patricia Bradwell, Lincolnshire County Council's executive

Sleaford Target

2008-03-12T10:12:00.005Z

Was I pleased to read today's Sleaford Target! Thanks especially for the publication of an excellent open letter to our MP, Douglas Hogg, from Don Irvine. He said it all.The main article on the Lafford has not appeared in the online version as yet, though it should do soon.Sleaford TargetWhen it does, just search for 'Lafford' and you should find all the relevant online articles.Update: Here it

Speak to your MP

2008-03-11T13:06:00.004Z

I believe that Douglas Hogg, our MP, is in Sleaford this Friday. If you would like to take this case to him, please do so. Thankfully we still live in a democracy, have free speech and elected representatives. Use it!Some suggestions:Please let him know you are coming. Contact Douglas Hogg.Take evidence with you - write things down so you don't forget what the most important points are. Take any

Surprised

2008-03-10T21:46:00.003Z

Honestly, I am surprised at how many of you have admitted to reading this blog! I thought it was just me :-) Many of you are safely watching from the sidelines, and that is quite okay. If anyone has made any 'next steps' plans, please, please, please let us know. Big changes happen when people act in unison. As I have gone on record saying this, I am happy to repeat it here, I am expecting a good

Ed Balls has this to say...

2008-03-08T00:02:00.003Z

... fair choice 'needs good schools'.Just today, Mr Balls (our Education Secretary) promised a national plan to improve 638 schools deemed to be struggling in England. He said, "Where one school is doing well and nearby schools are struggling, that is not real choice for parents", he told head teachers. Really?Oh good. Perhaps they'll get round to doing something about the Lafford very very

Shropshire school

2008-03-07T22:22:00.005Z

I encourage you to read this Shropshire Star article 'Have lessons been learned?' looking back at a battle to save school 22 years ago. Perhaps we can look back and learn something. The Corbet School was not always the success it is today. Yes, it has increased in size and has now become very popular indeed. What can Billinghay learn from their experiences?David Smith, a grandfather from Myddle

Friday outside the school

2008-03-07T21:37:00.006Z

A good number of folk gathered together at 11.00am for a peaceful protest against the planned closure of the school. It was a lively and friendly bunch of local folk. A large number of young people came out of school at break time to swell the numbers. A 'Citizenship' lesson, but this time in real life. We complain about young people not being bothered to vote. Well, the Lafford young people

Latest Lincolnshire Echo article

2008-03-07T09:16:00.004Z

Parents left frustrated by school closure meetingWhile I think parents were frustrated, I sensed that the Director of Children's Services and Executive head were probably more than frustrated. There was a distinct inability to communicate properly with the people. Are they really the people who are running our education?If you want to contact one of our four elected representatives, find their

Thursday meeting

2008-03-06T21:36:00.004Z

Well, well, well! What can I say after the meeting at the Lafford High School! Full house, loads of questions (most of which remained unanswered), very very cross parents, eloquent young people, emboldened young people. They were incredible. Billinghay should be proud of these young people, and we are. Perhaps a couple of you would like to join the Parish Council soon (you need to be 18).There

Not all it appears to be....

2008-03-05T23:00:00.003Z

It appears that the County Council's version of events isn't strictly as reported. I have it on good authority that some Governors of the Lafford High School deny that they determined the closure of the school. So who did? Cllr Christine Talbot was interviewed by Rodders last Thursday and said it was the Governors of the Lafford. Is it true? Will we ever find out? Do you care?So, what is to be

National Association for Small Schools

2008-03-05T10:54:00.004Z

The NASS (National Association for Small Schools) wrote this letter to support the parents and concerned community members in Billinghay.What do you think about what they have to say? Is is as clear cut as the governors and authorities have made it out to be?__Though the Association largely deals with primary schools we find ourselves increasingly involved with secondary school cases such as

Government reminder to rural authorities

2008-03-03T14:28:00.002Z

Please read on BBC Online News:Rural school closures in disputeYet again, rural communities are at the mercy of our councils. When will it stop?

Comments from Caring Parents

2008-03-03T11:27:00.004Z

I have decided to move these excellent comments to the front page to be read by all. Thank you 'Caring Parents'. Really appreciate your time to respond. Please email me (profile page) if I can support you in any way.---Tony Blair set out his priorities for office “ Education, education, education”. Gordon Brown pledged to eradicate failure from England’s schools by saying those which let children

Meeting

2008-02-29T16:08:00.000Z

Thursday the 6th of March at the Lafford School Hall at 6pmBe there.

Closure news...

2008-02-29T15:07:00.002Z

... of yet another Lincolnshire school. This time it's the Lafford High in Billinghay. It has been reported on the BBC Online News as well as the Lincolnshire Echo.The LaffordDoes this affect you or someone you know? To say something here, please click on the 'responses' link below. You can do so anonymously if necessary. We do not collect any information about you.