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The Local Education Authority’s case for closure spelled out

2:29pm Thursday 17th January 2008

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HEREFORDSHIRE had 2,500 children aged under one in 1990-1991. By 2006/2007 that number had dropped to 1,752 and not all children living in the county attend local authority schools.

l Statistical projections suggest that the number of primary school children in the county will fall by over 800 between now and 2012 with a similiar fall following in high schools.

Though around 16,600 new homes are proposed for the county between now and 2026, those new homes do not necessarily mean more children. Between 1999 and 2005, 4,375 homes were built in the county - over the same period the number of primary pupils fell by 1,253.

Herefordshire has less money from central government if pupil numbers dropped and schools will subsequently see cuts in funding.This funding is secured solely for school use and any savings gained would be re-invested.

Smaller school budgets will lead to fewer staff. Fewer staff threaten the quality of teaching and learning.

As school budgets reduce a greater percentage will be spent on fixed costs like rates, heating, lighting and building maintainance.

l The expectation of what schools can - and should - provide are increasing.

Falling rolls will not have the same impact in all of the county's schools, different areas will be affected to different degrees.

The majority of schools are likely to see greater fluctuation in pupil numbers from year to year, making planning more difficult.


Your Say YourHereford Times

drray, Hereford says...
5:45pm Thu 17 Jan 08

Projections for falling births rate date from 2001 census and have since been revised upwards. UK is experiencing the fastest increase in birthrate for 25 years. There is also immigration from accession countries (A8) in Eastern Europe. The formula used for new housing is that 30 new homes results in 10 school age children so if the birth rate just stayed the same the new houses planned would increase the number of children by over 5000 between now and 2026.

drray, Hereford says...
5:45pm Thu 17 Jan 08

Projections for falling births rate date from 2001 census and have since been revised upwards. UK is experiencing the fastest increase in birthrate for 25 years. There is also immigration from accession countries (A8) in Eastern Europe. The formula used for new housing is that 30 new homes results in 10 school age children so if the birth rate just stayed the same the new houses planned would increase the number of children by over 5000 between now and 2026.

Sue Jones, Hereford says...
10:05pm Thu 17 Jan 08

I must say I am really impressed with the Hereford Times efforts to provide balanced reporting on this emotive issue. I was struck by the numbers of head teachers who supported the proposals and their arguments for doing so. I think the more time we spend listening to all points of view the better the outcome in the long run. It will be interesting to see whose figures are most realistic - can the Hereford Times research the available figures and statistics to see whether the county needs to plan for a falling or a rising birth rate?

Sue Jones, Hereford says...
10:05pm Thu 17 Jan 08

I must say I am really impressed with the Hereford Times efforts to provide balanced reporting on this emotive issue. I was struck by the numbers of head teachers who supported the proposals and their arguments for doing so. I think the more time we spend listening to all points of view the better the outcome in the long run. It will be interesting to see whose figures are most realistic - can the Hereford Times research the available figures and statistics to see whether the county needs to plan for a falling or a rising birth rate?

sweetpea, Ross-on-Wye says...
4:00am Thu 24 Jan 08

I would like to know what happens if there is a rise in babies and then what are we going to do?? portacabins and more expense!!!

sweetpea, Ross-on-Wye says...
4:00am Thu 24 Jan 08

I would like to know what happens if there is a rise in babies and then what are we going to do?? portacabins and more expense!!!

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