Campaign for real education attacks school closure

A STINGING criticism of Conservative-controlled Suffolk County Council's “anti-choice” education policy has been published on an Internet blog site read daily by tens of thousands of Tory voters.

Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, said that children will suffer from the decision in particular to shut Clare Middle School and accused the council of “allowing left wing bureaucrats to drive” its schools policy.

He was backed yesterday by Suffolk South's Tory MP Tim Yeo who said he was “disappointed” that the council was not following the party's policy nationally of supporting aspirational parents who want to keep good schools open.

Read the fully story at http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=IPED16%20Dec%202008%2020%3A23%3A53%3A183

C.L.A.R.E deliver school proposal to Suffolk County Council

Members of the C.L.A.R.E group (arrive at Endeavor House, Ipswich to hand deliver the proposal document for a community college in Clare.

C.L.A.R.E to meet school minister, Jim Knight

C.L.A.R.E are to meet with Jim Knight, Minister for schools and learners, later today. Members of the group are to travel up to London this afternoon to attend a meeting at Westminster, which was kindly set up by south Suffolk MP Tim Yeo's office.

The group are excited to have been given this opportunity and will be putting forward their argument for a rural community school in Clare.

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Road-show success - Over 1000 Letters of Support!

We would just like to say a big thank you to all of you who attended the C.L.A.R.E roadshow and to the 1052 of you who took the time to complete our Letter of Support. Yes, in just those few weeks over the summer holiday, we received 1052 letters of support for a new rural secondary school in Clare.

The roadshow was a huge success and not only gave us the opportunity to present our vision for the Stour Valley Community College but gave us the chance to speak directly to parents and residents throughout the villages and get a real understanding of what the expectations are for the new school. It also introduced us to a number of key contacts with specialist skills who are now assisting us with the proposal, due to be submitted at the end of September.

We don't have much time and the team certainly have their work cut out. As you can imagine the application for a new school is a fairly comprehensive document and requires a considerable amount of work but although a busy time for all those involved, it is an exciting time and we are as keen as ever!

So, keep supporting us and if you haven't already added yourself to the mailing list, then please do.

Many thanks