Final nail in school's coffin

5:16pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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READING the article in the Guardian that the council has improved performance in several areas is to be congratulated but these congratulations stop dead when it comes to top performance in education'.

While this may apply to the bulk of Warrington, it certainly does not apply to the pupils and parents of Woolston High School and the partner primaries it supports.

Obviously it is the aim of the council to strive for excellence and recognition by the Audit Commission and I can understand that goal, but not at the expense of the Woolston community. This, coming on the eve of the last LA report that puts the final nail in the coffin of the whole school community of Woolston and on the second day of an Ofsted inspection.

How much more can be thrown at the school, which is still performing and coping admirably under all this pressure and is still achieving better results than other secondary schools in the area.' This article just confirms that no-one has listened to the views of the community.

People are fed up of airing the same views time and time again over these consultations. We have had no chance to speak directly to the council or to ask questions and receive proper informative answers at any stage of these two reviews.

We have had no chance to ask questions and debate at scrutiny nor receive information that the LA has used to compile their reports.

It would have been easier for them to announce they were closing the school without any consultation - as that is what has effectively happened.

This would have no doubt saved more money and earned it an even higher rating, as this is all about money.

Yes, Warrington should be outstanding, but Woolston needs to be part of that goal.

The council may have received your four-star rating for the appraisal of children's services, but when the true impact of what you have done in Woolston hits, then this achievement will seem quite hollow.

MICHAEL RYDER Woolston