Schools plan is "totally withdrawn"

10:15am Friday 1st February 2008

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DRAFT plans to close or merge 37 schools have been totally withdrawn, according to a senior LEA officer.

Massive opposition to January's review forced the LEA into a re-think, admitted George Salmon last night (Thursday) in Bromyard.

He told the St Peter's crowd that he faced a "fresh sheet of paper", and was looking for debate and dialogue for the next review, proposed for September.

He also admitted faults with the timing and presentation of the release, but fronted criticism by suggesting villages were no poorer for not having schools.

Mr Salmon spoke before 200 people, many still angry with plans to close Queen Elizabeth Humanities College, and merge four Bromyard-area primaries.

Residents and councillors spoke out, while the vicar of Bromyard, the Revd. Graham Sykes, accused the LEA of harbouring long-term ambitions to close QEHC.

Full story next week.