Families fight for future of Chelmsley Wood primary schools

Sep 23 2008 by Christopher Henwood, Birmingham Mail

A GRANDMOTHER made an emotional plea for the future of a local primary school, branding moves that could see it shut down as cruel on children.

Pauline Hislop, of Dunton Road, Kingshurst, was one of several people to address Solihull Council members and officers last night over plans to shut one or both of Chelmsley Wood’s Kingfisher and Bosworth Wood primary schools.

The two schools have both suffered falling pupil numbers and were said by education chiefs to be “extremely vulnerable.”

However, Mrs Hislop, a grandmother of a Kingfisher schoolgirl, hit out at the authority for looking into the proposals, which come just a year before a new £7million building is due to be opened on the Kingfisher School site.

“I witnessed the feelings of my grand-daughter, who was sobbing, begging me to save her school,” she said.

“Kingfisher is more than just a building – it’s a safe haven where every child is considered a winner.

“The children have for months been excited about their new school and actively taking part in designing a new logo.

“I can’t believe the council, at this late stage and after getting the children’s hopes up, can consider letting them down so badly – it’s cruel.

“I thought we had a moto in Solihull – ‘every child counts.’ If you believe this, save Kingfisher School.”

Scores of parents were at the meeting, in Solihull Council’s Civic Suite, where they heard Kingfisher School governor Douglas Burden and Bosworth Wood voluntary helper Susan Fletcher speak on the issue.

Kingfisher headteacher Sue Vyvyan also spoke at the meeting.

She said: “Kingfisher’s closure would be seen a complete betrayal and in terms of community cohesion – that sacrifice isn’t worth it.”

Council education officials have put forward four options for the two schools – two are for the closure of either school, one is for both to remain open and the fourth would see both closed in favour of a new school to be opened in 2010 at the earliest.

Solihull Council leader Coun Ken Meeson, told pupils and parents at the meeting: “I hope the fact that we are here tonight to hear you speak will show that adults who are members of the council are not prepared to let you down.”

He decided to set a scrutiny committee to come up with a recommendation on the proposals.