Independant Cllr Richard Kemp of the Melford division in favour of Option 3

Letter printed in the East Anglian Daily Times on 20th December 2007

It was pleasing to read the letter from SCC Cllr Patricia O'Brien, portfolio holder for children, schools and young people, giving her reassurance that school site values will have little or no impact on the eventual decisions in respect of schools and the future Educational direction of schools, served by the Clare Middle School.

Hopefully any details in respect of site values in respect of, and in particular Clare Middle School in this whole process can be confirmed under the Freedom of Information Act?

Having attended meetings at Glemsford and Hartest school in my area it is clear that the majority of those affected by the changes favour an upgraded faculty at Clare Middle School, namely option 3, which is also supported by Tim Yeo our local member of Parliament.

Despite the obvious 'loading' of other options in the 'consultation' information, it is hoped that unlike the majority of other consultation processes this one will be different and actually restore some public belief in the process by taking on board the views of parents, in any ultimate decisions.

Yours faithfully

Richard Kemp
Independent Councillor
Suffolk County Council
Melford Division

Clare is a town and deserves an upper school.

The words of Mr Ron Longland, secretary of the Clare Business Association in response to a letter printed in the Haverhill Echo last week from Mr Liam Plumbridge stating that 'a secondary school in Clare is simply not viable'.

To read both letters in full, click the following links:

http://www.haverhillecho.co.uk/letters/Upper-school-in-Clare-simply.3532837.jp
http://www.haverhillecho.co.uk/letters/Clare-is-a-town-and.3562263.jp

C.L.A.R.E members meet with MP Tim Yeo

Georgina Lovejoy, Diana Sharp, Marie Baker, Nigel Evans (Clare middle school headteacher)
MP Tim Yeo and Jim Meikle (chair of C.L.A.R.E)

Suffolk South MP Tim Yeo visits Clare middle school

MP for Suffolk South Tim Yeo whom has already shown his support for a rural secondary school in Clare visited the middle school site last Friday.

Headteacher Nigel Evans and Jim Meikle, C.L.A.R.E chairman showed Mr Yeo around the school before meeting with the C.L.A.R.E group.

Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, Mr Yeo said: “I am fully supportive of the idea of a new secondary school in Clare".

"I believe this would best serve the interests of the town and the surrounding villages and is clearly preferable to bussing eleven-year-old boys and girls to schools in Haverhill".

“I am delighted the county council has accepted that a new secondary school in Clare is a real possibility. “They clearly recognise the considerable merits of this proposal or they would not have seen fit to suggest it at all.

“Our task now is to make this their preferred option. And if the local community get behind the idea they have my full backing.”

You can read more of this story at:-
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED09%20Dec%202007%2020%3A26%3A36%3A857

Clare middle school parents hit back at Haverhill Heads

The following letter from four Clare Middle School parents has been printed this week in the Suffolk Free Press.


We would like to respond to the Haverhill headteachers' comments regarding the proposed changes from a three-tier to a two-tier school system and address the case for option three (a Clare rural community college).

Samuel Ward is currently over subscribed but Castle Manor is under subscribed. This leads us to believe that children from Clare will be sent to Castle Manor, taking away the parents option of choosing a school. Published tables show that, as of January, only 15% of pupils at Castle Manor were obtaining GCSE results at grade C or above. Former Clare Middle School pupils at Samuel Ward do exceptionally well when they take GCSEs, with 87% achieving A* to C grades.Why would having three smaller schools as against two large ones have a detrimental effect on our children when the Government is actively pursuing development of smaller schools to improve educational standards? With regards to Clare struggling to provide a full range of services for the 14-19 year olds, we must point out that under options one, two and three neither Samuel Ward, Castle Manor or Clare would be teaching 16-19-year olds, as they would be attending a sixth-form college on a separate site. Options one and two will have a detrimental effect on our children's education and well being long before the changes are complete as the current middle schools will be likely to have teachers looking for other posts now rather than later. Children falling into the Sudbury catchment area will still be attending Clare middle but the school will be running at half the capacity.

Clare Middle School has consistently shown itself to be a good school and the infrastructure is in place to continue this trend into a secondary school. The Clare school site currently provides many opportunities for after-school community activities for both children and adults, including junior (nine-13) and senior (13-18) youth clubs for about 100 children from Clare and surrounding rural areas, yoga classes, circuit training, club meetings and dance classes. As well as offering a summer holiday club for children.

We have been "informed" of the cost implications of changing Clare middle into a secondary school but costings have not been disclosed with regards to the reorganisation of Samuel Ward and Castle Manor Schools. These figures have been requested at a public meeting and are yet to be provided.

During a public meeting at Clare Middle School, Frank Stockley, a member of the review panel, stated that the "ball park figure for redeveloping Clare into a secondary school is £7-9million", this is nowhere near the figure of £18m quoted in letters sent to parents from the Haverhill schools.

Clare is a community in its own right and not part of Haverhill, and closing the school at Clare will take the heart out of our community, resulting in job losses and taking away our freedom of choice of where we want our children to be educated. It will also have an environmental impact by increasing the number of buses taking children to and from school. Making Clare into a secondary school would enable our community to thrive without affecting the community of Haverhill.

Concerned parents
R & S Brown
A & C Boddington
D & S Allen
B & S Eden-Shulver
Highfield and Westfield, Clare, and Cavendish

Filling out your Suffolk Organisation Review Questionnaire

CONFUSED?
NOT SURE HOW TO FILL IN THE SOR QUESTIONNAIRE - DON'T WORRY, YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE - HELP IS AT HAND!

Click the following link to download the C.L.A.R.E fact sheet which will guide you through the questions. We are aware that many of the questions are irrelevant unless you live in Haverhill but the fact sheet will explain which ones to answer and which ones to skip.

It is vital that you complete your questionnaire and send it back. If you have any problems downloading the fact sheet or need more help then please contact us and we will be more than happy to help you fill it in.

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/ruralclare/files

Clare Middle School responds to SOR options

Headteacher Nigel Evans and the governing body of Clare Middle School have sent a letter home to the parents of children attending the school explaining the three options proposed by the Suffolk County Council and why option 3, a secondary school in Clare is viable.

It reads that The Governing Body believes that Option 3 would best meet the needs of children and young people in our largely rural community for the following reasons:

• Our rural community has a different character to the urban centres of Haverhill and Sudbury.


• The Clare Middle School site would be retained for educational purposes and not be simply ‘disposed of’.


• Clare Middle School has been recognised in its recent OFSTED inspection as being good with outstanding features. A Clare High School or Community College would be in the best position to further develop and extend this high standard.


• The site was built as a secondary school in 1955, changing to a 9-13 middle school in the early 1970s, so a change back should not be overwhelmingly difficult.
  The middle school has technology college status, so again is in an advantageous position to meet the needs of the 11-16 age range.


• There is room for expansion of the buildings, while retaining existing playing fields, on what is a magnificent site.


• Former Clare Middle School pupils at Samuel Ward do exceptionally well when they take GCSEs, with 87% achieving A* to C grades in 2006, far exceeding national, county, Castle Manor, Sudbury Upper and Samuel Ward’s own averages. A Clare High School would be in a position to be a real asset to the community and its young people with such results.


• The local rural community would be more economically sustainable with a Clare High School providing jobs and reasons to be in Clare. It would therefore be good for the local economy and for business. A Clare High School would be a centre for regeneration and the future well-being of our rural area.


• Clare Middle School is used by a wide range of organisations out of school hours. A high school in Clare would be in a position to continue opening these facilities to the rural population for community use. The other options could not allow this.


• Members of the community have chosen to move here because of the quality of educational provision in the rural area. A lack of a high school in Clare could lead to this trend being reversed.


• Other rural high schools in Suffolk and in counties such as Cambridgeshire have excellent results. Some of these are relatively small schools which attain high standards in personal, community environment. Current research and thinking supports this approach.


• Substantial sums of money have been invested in Clare Middle School in recent years, particularly since gaining technology college status. This can be witnessed in quality of the refurbished science laboratories, the food technology room, the music room and its practice rooms, the new performance lighting in the hall, and the two ICT suites, amongst others. Options 1 and 2 would lead to a huge waste of this investment.


• The good working partnerships between Clare Middle School and the six feeder primary schools would not be lost, but have the opportunity to strengthen and thrive.


• A high school in Clare, that is, the three secondary schools option, gives more parental choice and diversity of provision, than either of the other options.


• A high school in Clare could be an attractive option for parents who might otherwise seek provision outside of Suffolk or, indeed, the state education system.
  

The letter goes on to say that the board 'believes the consultation document has not entirely represented the relative strengths and weaknesses of the three options'.

In fact it barely mentions any of the above advantages but focuses rather on the cost of implementing option 3 which incidentally is not as high as some might like you to think! The figure of £18m recently banded about was described by Frank Stockley, senior education officer, as 'a little wide of the mark as the cost would be closer to £7m'. Only £11m out! Suffolk County Council are unable to say how much option 1 and 2 would cost - how convenient!

You can download the Clare middle school letter in full by clicking on the following link: http://groups.google.co.uk/group/ruralclare/files

News coverage on mass!

Read what this weeks papers have to say following the C.L.A.R.E public meeting.

Haverhill Echo - School axe - will 'rip out heart of community'
http://www.haverhillecho.co.uk/news/School-axe-would-39rip-heart.3510382.jp

Suffolk Free Press - Clare school is 'vital' to future health of town
http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/news/Clare--school-is-39vital39.3507549.jp

Suffolk Free Press - Middle school campaigners slam headteachers
http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/news/Middle-school-campaigners-slam-headteachers.3510936.jp

East Anglian Daily Times - School conversion 'would cost 7m'
http://www.eadt.co.uk/search/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&itemid=IPED20%20Nov%202007%2020:32:34:417&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=search

Have you signed the C.L.A.R.E petition?!

If you agree with the following statement and you have not already signed our petition then please do so as soon as possible.

The statement reads:-

'We, the undersigned, are aware of the options proposed by the Suffolk County Council for
the school organisation review and I believe that option three, a rural secondary school,
is the best choice for Clare and the surrounding area'.

You can find copies of our petition at either Butchers Newsagents, Smiths Chemist, the Clare Pet Shop or Humphrys Butchers in Clare. Clare Library and the Parish Council also have copies for signature.

Many thanks
C.L.A.R.E

C.L.A.R.E Public Meeting on 14th November 2007

The C.L.A.R.E public meeting which was held at the Baptist Church this week was a huge success and proved just how well supported our campaign is. Over 100 members of the public including parents, teachers, governors, local business's and residents came to hear how the education system is changing and how it will affect our town. C.L.A.R.E presented the facts and figures and explained why Option 3, a secondary school in Clare, is the best option for our children and the community.

Also in attendance were Joy Stoddard, Frank Stockley and David Groves of the Suffolk School Review Panel with whom the audience had the opportunity to ask questions and view their concerns - and they certainly did! It is obvious from the comments and observations made that the peaple of Clare do not want to lose their school.

Our aim was to make people aware of the seriousness of losing our school not just to parents but to the whole community who will all feel the impact of such a loss. Since the meeting, we have had many words of encouragement and offers of help and will continue to fight our cause knowing that we really do now have the support of the town.

Thank you for joining us.
Keep it Rural!

Statement of support from Tim Yeo, MP

"I would like everyone here this evening to know that the idea of a new secondary school in Clare has my full support. I believe this would best serve the interests of the town and the surrounding villages and is clearly preferable to bussing eleven year old boys and girls to schools in Haverhill.
"I am delighted that Suffolk County Council has accepted, in Option Three, that a new secondary school in Clare is a real possibility. Our task now is to make this their preferred option. They clearly recognise the considerable merits of this proposal or they would not have seen fit to suggest it at all.
"As someone who believes that maximum local choice in education is one of the best ways of improving our education system i am instinctively in favour of the three schools option. And if the local community get behind the idea they have my full backing. " TIM YEO MP

Schools face downsizing revolution - The Observer

A report by the Observer this week highlights the problems faced by schools with such large numbers of pupils. It reads:-

Sprawling comprehensives with more than 1,500 pupils could be replaced with a series of smaller schools in an attempt to improve examination results. Andrew Adonis, the Schools Minister, said that in the United States cities such as New York had transformed test results, behaviour and attendance by cutting down the size of schools.

'I am keen to look, with an open mind, at all proposals to raise standards in schools,' he added. 'Small schools have been successful in the US and they may have a part to play here in the future, if credible proposals are forthcoming.'

The move comes as a new report, to be published on Wednesday, calls for an end to super-size comprehensives, arguing that they leave pupils overwhelmed and lost in a 'sea of anonymity'.

Full story at http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2208999,00.html

Petitioning in Clare!

Wow what a day!

After a morning spent campaigning in the town it was amazing to see how much support we have and how strongly you all feel about keeping education in Clare. We received more than 200 signatures in one morning from local residents, many of which, may not have children of school age but still understand how important the school is to our town. It really was great talking to you all and feeling such a strong sense of community. Thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful comments and to Colin and the team at Tuckerman's for the much needed hot coffee!

Don't worry if you haven't signed our petition yet. We will be back in town over the next few weeks and will be taking it along to all the public meetings. We will also be sending it round to the local schools and leaving copies in some of the shops in town, so please make sure you sign your support. Together we can make a difference!

Tim Yeo on the plans to end middle schools

Read what Conservative MP for South Suffolk, Mr Tim Yeo has to say about the proposed changes to the school system in Suffolk

http://www.timyeo.org.uk/record.jsp?type=article&ID=29

Glossary of Terms

Having problems understanding the jargon?!
Familiarise yourself with this easy to follow glossary of terms and phrases.

Follow the link below:-
Files - clareandlocalareaforruraleducation Google Groups

WAIT!

School Organisation review questionnaire!

Before you return your completed questionnaire ....
Are you aware of the full facts and implications?
Join our public meeting where we will present and discuss the options and implications ... in clear understandable terms!

Wednesday 14th November
7.30pm - Clare Baptist Church

Keeping our children’s education at the heart of our communities.
Ensure that you ... Have Your Say!

Headteacher vowes to fight for Clare High School

Read what Nigel Evans, Clare middle school headteacher and Jim Meikle, C.L.A.R.E chairman had to say to the East Anglian Daily times following the Suffolk county council school organisation review.

Click here to read article
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED30%20Oct%202007%2000%3A09%3A24%3A483

Stop press - Suffolk County Council announces options for the Haverhill school cluster

Following the stakeholder forum the Suffolk County Council has put forward the following three options for the Haverhill school cluster. They are:

• Option 1: 2 secondary schools with federation (the leading option)
• Option 2: 2 all-through schools
• Option 3: 3 secondary schools (2 in Haverhill, 1 in Clare)

C.L.A.R.E are thrilled to have got Option 3 on the paper but now we need to prove we have the support of the community.

All parents of children attending these schools will have received a pack in the post outlining the options along with a questionnaire to complete. It is vital that EVERYONE takes the time to read and return the questionnaire. Before you do though - come along to our public meeting on the 14th November at 7.30pm at the Baptist church to hear the fors and against of all the options.

Please don't think that the decision has already been made. It hasn't and together we can make a difference!

To read the consultation document and view the questionnaire on line following the link below
www.suffolk.gov.uk/sor/haverhill

What the 3 options mean for your school!

To find out how the organisation review will affect your school.

Follow the link below:
http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0239A5A1-CB47-4F5B-93DC-880633C3A4BB/0/Haverhillonepagers.pdf

More editorial for C.L.A.R.E!

C.L.A.R.E have once again been featured in the local paper with their campaign to retain rural education.

The Haverhill Echo who ran an article on C.L.AR.E earlier in the year have followed the group with interest and were keen to get an update on our progress.

To read the full story, click on the link below

http://www.haverhillecho.co.uk/news/Do-you-want-Clare-upper.3196622.jp

Clare Middle School Ofsted report proves high performance!

The Ofsted report for the Clare Middle School inspection is now available to read on line, see link below.

The school has achieved an excellent report with mostly grade 2 'Good' and some elements of grade 1 'Outstanding'.

Here are just a few of the fabulous comments made in the report which show just how well our school is performing.

Clare Middle School provides its pupils with a good quality education. It is popular with pupils and well-regarded locally.
It offers good value for money and has the capacity to improve further.
Many pupils attain above average standards by the time they leave.
Pupils achieve well because many of their lessons are good and some are outstanding.
Teachers' very good subject knowledge promotes high standards and achievement.
Pupils' personal development and well being are good with some outstanding features.
Pupils' enjoyment of school is demonstrated by their enthusiasm and engagement in lessons, the very high levels of involvement in the many extra curricular activities and in school and community events.
Pupils say they feel safe…
There are good links established with other local schools, the local community and support agencies.
Community involvement and charity fundraising are other positive features of the school.
The school has a number of outstanding teachers who demonstrate exemplary practice.
Pupils talk positively about the many opportunities they have to participate in different school activities such as drama, dance, music and sports.
Pastoral care and support are very good.
Pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities are supported very well.
The headteacher leads the school community very well, providing clear direction and valued support for all staff.
The contribution made by some leaders to developing their particular subject is outstanding and reflected in pupils' very good achievement.
Final comment in the letter to pupils from the Inspector: We know that the staff and governors are endeavouring to make Clare Middle an even better school.

Click the link below to read the full report.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=124791&inspectionNumber=293115&providerCategoryID=8192&fileName=\\school\\124\\s5_124791_20070910.xml

Parish Council supports our cause!

The Clare Parish Council whom have supported C.L.A.R.E from the very beginning have now kindly donated £100 to help with our administration costs. This has been gratefully recieved and is a fantastic boost to our campaign!

Thank you so much :-)

Newspaper article for C.L.A.R.E

An article on C.L.A.R.E and our campaign has been printed in the Haverhill Echo Newspaper.

Steve Barton of the Echo who expressed an interest in the group interviewed Jim Mieke, the Chair of C.L.A.R.E earlier this week.

To read the full story, clink on the link below.
http://www.haverhillecho.co.uk/news?articleid=3041259

Calling all villages!

Hundon, Cavendish, Glemsford, Kedington, Wickhambrook, Hartest and Thurlow.
Are you concerned about the future education of your children?

You have the chance to be heard. Lets us know your views and thoughts by emailing us at c.l.a.r.e@btinternet.com

We need you. Join us in our campaign to protect rural education and spread the word!

C.L.A.R.E

July Newsletter

Welcome to the July Newsletter from C.L.A.R.E, the parent group actively involved in ensuring the best education for the children of Clare.

Why we are here - Our mission is to retain within Clare and rural areas, primary and secondary schools that will realise the full educational and social potential of our children and young people.

Following our successful presentation to Rosalind Turner and Cllrs Patricia O Brian and Jane Midwood earlier this year, C.L.A.R.E is being recognised by the county council and other similar organisations as a credible group representing the parents of Clare.

As we all know the school review panel has recommended that the Suffolk education system be changed from a three tier system to a two tier but how this will affect our existing schools with respect to closure, re-location or rebuilding has yet to be decided.

Many of you are aware of the stakeholder forum, which is a steering group set up by the School Review Panel following the recommendation. The group has 36 members including school heads, trade unions, parents, county councillors and governors all brought together to discuss Suffolk education and the various options. We are pleased to have three representatives from Clare on the Forum. These are Jim Meikle for C.L.A.R.E, Georgina Lovejoy representing Clare Pre-school and Diana Sharp as a Clare parent. By being part of this steering group we have an influence on the decisions being made.

After the final stakeholder meeting in September, it is our intention to hold a public meeting to acquaint you with the options being proposed, there implications and IF there are any we could recommend supporting. The exact date for this will be confirmed.

Until then, you can keep up to date with our progress by visiting the C.L.A.R.E web log (blog). This is basically a public diary which will be regularly updated with news and information as we get it. To view the blog, log on to www.clareandlocalareaforruraleducation.blogspot.com and add it to your favourites.

As we said before, you have the opportunity now to contribute your views and aims, this is real parent power. You can contact us through the blog or by emailing us directly at c.l.a.r.e@btinternet.com. You can also talk to any of the C.L.A.R.E members who would be pleased to speak to you. We need to hear your comments, please take the time to share them with us.

Thank you for your support.

C.L.A.R.E

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the C.L.A.R.E blog.

Here you will find news updates and information on our campaign to maintain rural education. We want to be able to keep you up to date with our progress so it is our intention to regularly update this site with new developments as they come in.

If you would like to share your comments and concerns or have anything to add then please email us at c.l.a.r.e@btinternet.com. We want to hear from you.

Thank you for your support.

C.L.A.R.E

James' Story

This is how James will go to school

It is 2007. James is 6 and halfway through Year 2 at his local Primary school. He stays there for all of this year, the next and the one following.
Instead of going to Middle school in September 2009, his Head teacher tells him that he will be staying in his Primary School.
In the summer of 2009, James’ Primary School has two large porta cabins delivered and put onto its playground. When James returns in September, he is told that half of the playgroup is out of use, but he has a new classroom! James spends the year being taught in the porta cabins, dashing in and out of the school when necessary among the inclement periods of weather.
James returns in September 2010 to find two more porta cabins taking up the rest of the playground and hence there is little space for football at break or PE clubs after school when it is to wet to use the field.
He has a new teacher who has come from one of the Middle schools which has closed. He has never had a male teacher before. James is 10 years old. He sits his Sats tests in the summer, but has found it hard to concentrate on study because the porta cabins get hot and stuffy and it’s a long walk to get to the toilets inside. Halfway through the year, his teacher leaves and moves out of the school for another post. James has a temporary teacher for half a term until a replacement is found.
In September 2011 James leaves his expanded Primary school for ‘the new school’ in South Lowestoft.
This has 1200 children – all starting at the same time. James is mixing with students up to the age of 18 now that he goes to school on the bus.
His classroom is near to the area of the school where they haven’t finished all the building work yet. As some of the practical teaching rooms are not fully completed, James has quite a few lessons in his form room.
James loved his football. He was in the team at primary school and would have been in middle school where there were only 60 boys in the year group. However, there are 250 pupils, 125 boys in his current year group and only one team for them. James loses interest in football quickly.
By 2014 when James is 14 years old, the work at school is finally completed. James makes his selection for GCSE examinations. However the correlation between his Key stage 2 SATs scores and GCSE predictions, have meant that because his KS2 SATs were not as good as they might have been without all the disruptions caused by the reorganisation, he doesn’t get all his choices at GCSE and is disappointed.
However he has been told by the County Council that the reorganisation of schools will improve standards and pupils’ achievement – but maybe not for him and his friends?

Local stakeholder forum

Great news!

Following the promise from the School Organisation Review Panel of a local steering group, we are pleased to have three representatives from Clare on the forum. Georgina Lovejoy will be representing the Clare pre-school, Jim Miekle for C.L.A.R.E and Diana Sharp as a Clare parent. All are dedicated to the cause of maintaining rural education.

The steering group has 36 members including school heads, trade unions, local organisations, parents, county councillors and governors all brought together to discuss the future of our schools and the various options. By being a part of this steering group we have a presence and are ensuring recognition for Clare.

Newsletter - March 07

C.L.A.R.E.
Clare & Local Area for Rural Education

NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the first news letter from C.L.A.R.E, the parent group actively involved in trying to ensure the best education for the children of Clare.

As you know, on the 22nd March, a recommendation was made to the Suffolk County Council by the review panel to change our education system to a two tier system and lose middle schools. Despite this recommendation, there will still be a review period. C.L.A.R.E will continue to campaign for the best outcome for our children and the community.

Since parents coming together in January this year, C.L.A.R.E. has established a network of valuable contacts including MP’s and Councillors and has gained full support from the parish council and local businesses. Our petition received over 250 signatures from parents and residents of Clare.

In February we sent out a questionnaire to the parents of Clare Primary school. It was evident from the answers given, and the comments made that the vast majority of you were unhappy with the proposal for change and concerned about the future of our schools. This information proved incredibly valuable when presenting our case on the 15th March. Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete and return it.

On the 15th March a presentation by C.L.A.R.E. was given to Cllr Patricia O Brian, Cllr Jane Midwood and Rosalind Turner in the presence of many of the Primary school parents and teachers. At this presentation, we put forward a number of options available to Clare and surrounding villages utilising our current middle school. Our presentation was well received and in fact was mentioned at the cabinet meeting on the 22nd March. Up until now, Clare and local parishes and indeed rural areas in general have been largely over looked and in our case grouped with Haverhill. Now we have a voice and are being listened to!!

You have the opportunity now to contribute your views and aims, this is real parent power. You can contact us by emailing c.l.a.r.e@btinternet.com or by speaking to any of the C.L.A.R.E members. If you do not contribute you won’t have a voice.

What you can do right now is:

Start writing and keep on writing to your local councillor Jane Midwood at jane.midwood@suffolkcc.gov.uk

Or by post to either Suffolk County Council, 8 Russell Rd, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX

Look out for posters of the next C.L.A.R.E public meeting and be there, your presence is very important. Together we can ensure the best future for our children.

Results of the Questionnaire

These are the results from the questionnaire completed by the Clare primary school parents earlier this year.........

QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

34 questionnaires returned by the 8th February 2007.

All had heard of the proposal for a two tier system.

26 said they had heard through the school (some saying school and paper), 6 heard via the local papers and two said other (gossip).

28 said that they are happy with current three tier system, 4 not happy and 2 indifferent.

28 said they preferred the three tier system, 2 said they preferred two tier and 1 said either.

33 said that losing rural schools would have an impact on the community (mostly shops and amenities suffering).

33 said they felt their child benefited from being taught in a rural school with comments like ‘the teacher knows them and their children’, ‘safety and less distance to travel’ ‘knowing everyone’ and ‘security’.

32 said that YES they are concerned about their children being bussed into the larger towns at age 11 rather than 13.

When answering the question regarding the disruptions caused by the changes over the next 10 years…

All but one said that they thought it was a problem
All but one said that their child would find it unsettling.
All but one said lessons and subjects would be affected.
All said it would affect their child’s education, 4 of which said short term, 5 said long term and 25 said both.

26 said that they had heard of the ‘super school’ idea, 8 said they had not.
'Utter madness mixing 3-18 year olds together' said one parent.

32 said they would not be happy to send their child to a super school and 2 said they did not know.

33 said they had not been given enough information from the county council regarding the proposed changes.

7 said they had been given the opportunity to voice their opinions and 27 said they had not.

7 said that the Clare middle school did NOT have the potential to become a secondary school but they did not want their child to go to a secondary school out of town, ie. they wanted the three tier system to stay and a good quality upper school from the age of 13.

Of the 27 people who said the school did have potential, all would be happy to send their child there.

Some excellent feedback with general comments including fear of disruption, no need to change, environmental issues and the biggest concern, bullying.