ALL four of my children went to St Paul's, two are still there, two in top sets at Woodhey. They cannot praise St Paul's enough. They are happy, motivated and confident, with respect for their peer group and adults.
I went round St Andrew's and Hazlehurst prior to visiting St Paul's. Having seen St Paul's, I knew immediately my children would be happy there. The atmosphere was unique. It wasn't just a school, it was a family unit where the children and staff formed a close and happy bond. Qualities were being taught here that do not appear on any curriculum.
The Scrutiny Panel which visited all the schools in the area were very surprised at how large and airy the classrooms are at St Paul's, not to mention the excellent resources available. This is something we as parents take for granted. Maybe we shouldn't any more!
As a parent, I don't view the SATs results as the be-all and end-all. I didn't place my children at St Paul's so that they could be battery-fed in readiness for SATs with the rest of the curriculum taught after May! I wanted my children to have a comprehensive education every week, not art and crafts and PE being perceived as a reward for good SATs results. I didn't want my children feeling under pressure to achieve level 4+.
My children are happy at St Paul's and that is where they will stay!
The LEA hasn't a case. Their reasons for closure of St Paul's are based on totally inaccurate, misinformed and mis-projected figures. This was obvious to the Scrutiny Panel who voted unanimously to refer back to the Executive! (According to the LEA's formula, 100 houses produced 28 children of primary school age. I would ask all those parents living on the Nuttall Lane Estate if they would agree with this!).
This was St Paul's first victory. I look forward to the final victory when my children will be running to school in September 2003 with a smile on their faces!
The LEA knows it is wrong; the Focus Group of St Paul's has shown that the LEA are wrong; the Scrutiny Panel unanimously have shown that the LEA are wrong. Leave our children alone and let them do their maths, correctly! 2 x 3=3, 3 x 3=3, but the LEA thinks it does!
Irene Todd
Bolton Street
Ramsbottom
Bury
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