well educated,

disciplined children

I WOULD like to endorse the letter from Ms Walsh regarding the proposed closure of Affetside village school, and point out that in higher education, in which I was personally involved for many years, there were (and maybe still are) many very small classes in some subjects which were allowed to continue as part of a complete course, involving other larger classes in related subjects.

This reference may be regarded as irrelevant, but in broad terms isn't education more important than relative cost?

In my generation, Affetside scholars like myself, went to work half time at 12 in industry, our "education" being then regarded as complete, but there can be no doubt we were turned out well trained, disciplined and ready to take our place in society.

Classes were small even in those days, thus we enjoyed the advantage of realistic personal tuition for which I will always be grateful.

With respect, I feel the idea of closures is the result of control from above with little regard for those involved at ground level. Hints of possible intentions in the past have contributed to the present situation. Would it not be more just to consider offering say a 10 year respite, during which the school could recover and perhaps extend its influence locally and beyond?

For the record, I am now well into my 94th year and won the first grammar school scholarship at Affetside school in 1920.

John H Riley,

Bolton Road West,

Hawkshaw,

Bury.

I WOULD like to endorse the letter from Ms Walsh regarding the proposed closure of Affetside village school, and point out that in higher education, in which I was personally involved for many years, there were (and maybe still are) many very small classes in some subjects which were allowed to continue as part of a complete course, involving other larger classes in related subjects.

This reference may be regarded as irrelevant, but in broad terms isn't education more important than relative cost?

In my generation, Affetside scholars like myself, went to work half time at 12 in industry, our "education" being then regarded as complete, but there can be no doubt we were turned out well trained, disciplined and ready to take our place in society.

Classes were small even in those days, thus we enjoyed the advantage of realistic personal tuition for which I will always be grateful.

With respect, I feel the idea of closures is the result of control from above with little regard for those involved at ground level. Hints of possible intentions in the past have contributed to the present situation. Would it not be more just to consider offering say a 10 year respite, during which the school could recover and perhaps extend its influence locally and beyond?

For the record, I am now well into my 94th year and won the first grammar school scholarship at Affetside school in 1920.

John H Riley,

Bolton Road West,

Hawkshaw,

Bury.