The first lesson of the new school year: 12 + 16 = nonsense. The bizarre start to the autumn term at Beauty Bank Primary School in Stourbridge is a classic case of red tape running riot. There seems to be no hope of saving this school. Common sense and simple economics tell us it must become a victim of demographics. There are fewer children about now than a few years ago. Therefore, we need fewer schools.
And then the lawyers got involved. The law demands a lengthy consultation period. And the law insists that while that period lasts, the school must remain open.
And so today 12 pupils are attending the school - with 16 members of staff taking care of them. Everyone knows that this is educational nonsense and that children fare best in proper sized classes among their own age group.
In a matter of weeks or months this school will surely be axed and the children will be dispersed among other schools in the area, having had a damagingly disturbing introduction to the school year.
Only a few weeks ago it seemed Beauty Bank would attract about 30 pupils for this new year. One education chief seems taken by surprise by the low turnout which suggests a lack of short-term planning.
How can we prevent similar chaotic starts to the term at other schools in the future? Democracy is a fine thing but too much consultation can damage a child’s education.
The Beauty Bank parents’ “victory” in winning a stay of execution seems to have created hope where no hope was justified and looks pretty hollow today.
So what exactly is the deal, Mr Blair?What exactly is the deal between Rupert Murdoch’s News International media empire and Tony Blair?
It is no secret that the pro-America, pro-Israel, anti-BBC Mr Murdoch admires Mr Blair, nor that Mr Blair is looking for a highly-paid job when he quits Downing Street.
Today The Sun is first with the date on which the Prime Minister will quit. This exclusive may be the result of brilliant investigative journalism but it could be interpreted as Mr Blair slipping a tit-bit to his future employer.
Time will tell. But if the glittering future planned by Tony Blair includes a high-flying job in the Murdoch empire, it will be seen as an act of betrayal by millions of Labour supporters and activists.
Today, the Sandwell MP and junior defence minister Tom Watson resigns, a sign that even loyalists are fed up with the Blair regime.
There is dismay today in the Labour crew. If their skipper jumps ship and boards HMS Murdoch, today’s dismay will turn to blind fury.
School numbers don’t add up
And then the lawyers got involved. The law demands a lengthy consultation period. And the law insists that while that period lasts, the school must remain open.
And so today 12 pupils are attending the school - with 16 members of staff taking care of them. Everyone knows that this is educational nonsense and that children fare best in proper sized classes among their own age group.
In a matter of weeks or months this school will surely be axed and the children will be dispersed among other schools in the area, having had a damagingly disturbing introduction to the school year.
Only a few weeks ago it seemed Beauty Bank would attract about 30 pupils for this new year. One education chief seems taken by surprise by the low turnout which suggests a lack of short-term planning.
How can we prevent similar chaotic starts to the term at other schools in the future? Democracy is a fine thing but too much consultation can damage a child’s education.
The Beauty Bank parents’ “victory” in winning a stay of execution seems to have created hope where no hope was justified and looks pretty hollow today.
So what exactly is the deal, Mr Blair?What exactly is the deal between Rupert Murdoch’s News International media empire and Tony Blair?
It is no secret that the pro-America, pro-Israel, anti-BBC Mr Murdoch admires Mr Blair, nor that Mr Blair is looking for a highly-paid job when he quits Downing Street.
Today The Sun is first with the date on which the Prime Minister will quit. This exclusive may be the result of brilliant investigative journalism but it could be interpreted as Mr Blair slipping a tit-bit to his future employer.
Time will tell. But if the glittering future planned by Tony Blair includes a high-flying job in the Murdoch empire, it will be seen as an act of betrayal by millions of Labour supporters and activists.
Today, the Sandwell MP and junior defence minister Tom Watson resigns, a sign that even loyalists are fed up with the Blair regime.
There is dismay today in the Labour crew. If their skipper jumps ship and boards HMS Murdoch, today’s dismay will turn to blind fury.
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