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.