Lib Dems Campaign Against Threat to Small Rural Schools

11.27.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 10th Dec 2005

A motion critical of Tony Blair's proposed education reforms has been tabled for debate at the Council Meeting of West Berkshire Council on 13th December 2005 by Cllr Sally Hannon (Lib Dem, Newbury St Johns).

The reforms, announced by Tony Blair, have provoked controversy in schools and recently sparked detailed debate at the BBC1 Question Time programme filmed in Newbury. The Labour MP Reading West Martin Salter resigned this week as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department of Education and Skills over some of the proposed reforms.

The motion, to be proposed by Cllr Hannon, highlights the successes achieved in West Berkshire's schools over the last decade. The Council was rewarded with a 4/4 rating given to its education service by the independent watchdog the Audit Commission. It has also been widely praised for the way it pioneered the joining together of its education and services for young people.

Cllr Sally Hannon, Shadow Executive Member for Children and Young People, said:

"These changes threaten the future of small rural schools and will reduce parental choice, by allowing the schools to select the pupils they want. This campaign will add pressure to local MPs to actively campaign for education services to remain accountable to local people through local democracy. This Council has a record of investment and a record of success for our young people. Tony Blair's reforms will attack the Council's ability to help join up local services to get the best for every child in West Berkshire."