School's 'amazing' support
DEFIANT parents of Abbeydale Grange won community backing for their bid to save the school when more than 2,000 people turned out for a summer fair on Saturday.
The school showed off its performing arts talents with music, drama and dance, as well as games, stalls and family entertainment.
Similar events over the last two years had attracted fewer than 1,000 people, so organisers were overwhelmed by the demonstration of support.
"It was amazing," said community liaison manager Ibrar Hussain. "We had such phenomenal support from parents and the community given that we're facing closure – and everyone had a smile on their face.
"The weather played a part, but I think it was a show of solidarity from people who feel the school has a future and they don't want it to close."
But hopes of saving Abbeydale Grange have been dealt another blow by heads of the four city secondaries singled out to rescue it.
Fir Vale, King Ecgbert's, Silverdale and Tapton have all refused to 'federate' with the beleaguered school, which faces closure unless a suitable partner can be found.
The four heads agree that joining forces would not be in the interests of any of the schools involved, including Abbeydale Grange itself.
Silverdale's Helen Storey says: "We would not be prepared to see any dilution in the quality of provision for current students at the school."
David Bowes of Tapton insists: "We are sincere in our belief that every child matters so much that they cannot wait for Abbeydale to eventually improve, they need a high quality education now."
And Lesley Bowes of Fir Vale says: "This proposal would side-track us and dilute the capacity that we need to pursue a local federation with our family of schools.
"As an education professional, my own view is that Abbeydale Grange should close."
Her view is echoed by Catharine Kinsella, education director in Rotherham, who was also approached for help.
"It is a general view that a school with only 550 pupils on roll is not economically viable," she says. "It does not have the financial capacity to attract and sustain the calibre of teachers that would be needed."
The negative response to the quest for a suitable partner is a serious set-back to rescue plans. Councillors had hoped to begin consultations over a federation within the next few weeks. Delay to the proposed timetable is now inevitable.
The crisis is to be further debated at a council cabinet meeting next Wednesday, when councillors will either vote to continue the search for a partner, or else agree to consult on closure.
Talented young film-makers from Abbeydale Grange have made it through to the final of a high profile regional competition.
The students are up against six other schools in the Northern Rail Film Challenge.
The winning entry will be used to highlight the safety message as a part of the company's ongoing safety campaign and the students will receive a year's free rail travel.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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