The Rev GRAHAM SYKES, St Peter's Church, Bromyard

4:09pm Wednesday 23rd January 2008

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BY what criteria have we been singled out for such drastic proposals?

The proposal demonstrates those who put it together lack the essential knowledge and skills to manage the necessary change in educational provision in the county. It reveals a marked lack of insight into the educational needs, geography, topography, sociology and economics of Herefordshire.

Basic principles of change management have been ignored. Humanitarian principles of good personnel management have been dispensed with. The proposal fails to show how the standard of provision of education in both the primary and secondary sectors will be improved when our schools already deliver very high standards.

The QE High School Bromyard suffered a long history of neglect and under-investment by Herefordshire Council. Many parents exercised their preference to send their children to Hereford or Worcester (not Leominster) for secondary education.

Was this systematic running down part of a plan which predates the present proposal? Under the new head the school received an unbelievably glowing Ofsted report and Humanities College status was won, at the first attempt, bringing much needed new funding to the school.

The standards have moved from the bottom to the middle of the league table and are still rising.

The QE Humanities College is now very attractive to parents and a new year of admissions would have demonstrated that. Has that fact forced the hand of Herefordshire Council? Have they acted now before further improvement would bring in the necessary students to make this proposed scheme even more ludicrous?

We need answers to these questions before this destructive plan is implemented.