Around the start of the 1988-89 school year at Church Lawford First School, news began to break that the school was being considered for closure, and that a working party would be visiting the school during September to review its status. The suggestion was that the school roll was now down to 26 pupils, with the Vicar, Peter Watkins, contacting parents in his role as Chairman of the School Governors to advise parents of this development. His words (repeated in the October 1988 Village Magazine) were thus:
Dear Friends, I feel that it is right that I should, in my capacity of chairman of the governors, make some public comment about the speculation and misleading reports that have recently appeared in some of the local newspapers concerning the village school.
The facts are that as the school roll has fallen below thirty the school automatically receives a visit from the working party concerned with primary education, a working party that visits other schools at different times.
The reason for this sudden fall is this: Four years ago, as provision was not available at Henry Hinde First School, parents were pleased for their children to attend Church Lawford First School. Initially the children were only coming for one year. Active liaison between school and home encouraged parental involvement, and the families funded transport. The majority completed their first school education at Church Lawford, being followed by younger siblings.
The school roll in July 1988 stood at 35. The recent sudden fall is due entirely to the demise of the coach hire firm which was used, there being no economic alternative. The present situation is likely to be temporary, as the school has proved attractive to families in the area. The anticipated intake for 1989 will increase the roll.
The visit of the working party is no indication of intending closure but an automatic procedure, indeed there are many small schools in the county that they have visited which are continuing to serve the community.
I want to assure you that the governors, who are representatives from all sections of the community, and the staff are working hard on behalf of the school and the village to make sure that such wild rumours do not become fact and trust that we will be able to count on the continuing support of parents and community alike.
yours in Christ Peter Watkins
In some respects the publicity for the issue helped to kick start a more public campaign – such as these words in a Rugby Advertiser comment on 15th September 1988.
THE threat of closure hanging over Church Lawford Church of England First School can be regarded as just another nail in the coffin of village community life generally. It is true that the school only has 26 children on the roll but the school has both a tremendous reputation and history. It is factors like these which should be fully explored before the front door is finally closed and the estate agents for sale sign is erected on the boundary fence. The financial aspect of running the school is by no means the only one which should be looked at by the working party before they make an irreversible decision. Parents, who quite rightly intend to fight the proposal, are already making plans to pull up their roots and move house. The possible school closure is so far the only aspect to hit Church Lawford. Other villages are already facing maintaining their communities without bus services, a resident doctor, chemist, or in some cases a local post office, or a policeman patrolling the street on foot. Protests about these situations seem to come and go but now we have surely reached the stage when nothing but a full investigation of all the facts must be made before such an essential service should be allowed to slip into oblivion.
The school governors had already made a strong submission to the aforementioned Working Party by this point, and that was now sent out to parents – copy here.
During 1989 a “Friends of Church Lawford School” group was formed. The stated aim of the Group was “to advance the education of the pupils in the school, in furtherance of this object the association may :
(a) Develop more extended relationships between the staff , parents and others associated with the school.
(b) Engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it .
(c) Provide and assist in the provision of facilities for education at the school (not normally provided by the local education authority) .”
The group set up a school fund and began various fundraising activities. Some examples of these held shortly after formation of the group included Jumble Sale (x2), Barbeque, Beetle Drive (x2), Village Fete (shared proceeds – held at the school to highlight the links with the village), Children’s Clothes Party (x2), Sports Day, Local History Exhibition (held at the school), and Fashion Show. They also arranged Evening Courses at the school, such as Keep Fit, Learn to Paint and Soft Furnishing. There was also a Cheese and Wine Evening and Christmas Fair later in 1989. As well as donating funds to the school itself the group also assisted with the Children’s Playgroup. On the campaigning front the kept up pressure on local councillors to ensure the appropriate support was given to the cause. That included the local county councillor writing to the Warwickshire Education Department in Warwick to get clarification on their Small Schools Policy.
In the Autumn of 1989 the School Governors sent an appendix to their earlier submission to the Working Party – available here – which highlighted the various initiatives mentioned above. However, during the Autumn Term the Working Party again visited the school, increasing the concern about it’s future – which was then confirmed in a letter sent from the Senior Education Officer to all parents – a copy can be seen here. The content of that letter was reflected in a further update, in the village newsletter of February 1990, from Rev Peter Watkins
Dear Friends
I am sorry to have to tell you that a large black cloud looms large, over the future of our village school and this time it seems to have some substance. Last term the school was visited by the Education Committee working party yet again and as a result of their deliberations in early January we have been informed that after consultation they will be recommending closure of the school.
However, this does not mean that close is a foregone conclusion indeed there are several opportunities for parents & public alike to lobby the appropriate authorities to get this recommendation reversed.
We believe that the school should stay in the village and that the reasons for closure on both educational and economic grounds are not valid and that far from there being benefits there will be lasting and disastrous damage to the community and to the children of this and future generations.
FOR THE SAKE OF CHURCH LAWFORD AND THE CHILDREN THE SCHOOL MUST BE KEPT OPEN.
WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!
We will be telling you how you can help and what we would like you to do.
The diocese has pledged its support to fight closure in every way possible. Other villages have won this fight and so can we.
yours in Christ
Peter Watkins
The escalation from Warwickshire Education Authority was met with appropriate action from those trying to save the school, as reported in the Rugby Advertiser of 1st February 1990
The Working Party did then report on its findings during February 1990 and recommend the school should close by the summer of 1991. The main argument seemed to be that small schools would not have the resources to support the proposed national curriculum that might be implemented in the coming months. A further meeting of parents was called towards the end of that month, with the key actions detailed in a note sent to them the following day – see here for a copy. One of those actions saw a document drawn up detailing the merits of the school and the issues in the approach from the Working Party – this was then sent to the Education Committee – see here for a copy.
The Working Party recommendation had been passed to an Education Sub-Committee for further review in early March. If it then passed that stage it would be put forward at a full Education Committee Meeting, and possibly then to the Secretary of State.
Despite appropriate lobbying the full Education Committee approved the recommendation by the start of April 1990. As reported by the Rugby Advertiser below, this meant the fight would need to go to the highest level – with a two month consultation period prior to any decision.
In reporting the concerning news, the Village Magazine contained a very poignant poem on the subject in the April 1990 edition
.- .- .- .-
THEM AND US
When they ruthlessly cut off the top of our school,
They said they were sorry for being so cruel
But our children’s achievements would all be enhanced,
By the new opportunities being advanced.
We told them the school was important to us,
They listened and said, they’d provide a school bus.
So little by little families were lost,
Leaving the village because of the cost.
Twenty years on, this enhanced education,
Has it produced a more brilliant nation?
The answer the government tells us is No!
So the National Curriculum is now on the go.
Parents and Governors must now play more part,
To ensure that our children all get a good start
We’ve done it for years and we’ll keep it that way,
Our school’s at the top and that’s where it will stay
If they’ll leave us alone, and turn their attention
To youngsters with need of their interventions.
Then maybe they’d see how children can vary
And what’s right for Sally is quite wrong for Mary
And what about Johnny, not quite like his brothers,
He couldn’t fit in with so many others.
His needs we can meet, and thereby enhance
Education for all, we just need the chance
To prove we can do it, so this is our prayer
That reason will triumph and our school they will spare.
.- .- .- .-
On March 23rd there was a visit from the local MP – Jim Pawsey – who wanted to see the school for himself after hearing of the closure decisions. He agreed to host a deputation to Westminster to put their arguments there.
At the local elections held in May a new local Councillor – Hazel Bell – pledged to support the campaign. The campaign group also pledged to try to get the Full Council to reconsider the decision. Letters were written by representatives of the Women’s Institute and Parish Council to the Education Officer to explain their reasons for opposing the closure. The School Governors also wrote to details the various flaws they had found in the calculations the Working Party had made and used to justify their recommendations.
At around the same time there was a new initiative announced at Government level based on the testing of seven-year olds (introduced by John MacGregor, Secretary of State For Education and Science) which would suggest the various local Education Authorities would come under more scrutiny for their early years teaching. This lead to the full Council deciding that some of the closure arguments were now invalid, and instructing their Education Committee to review their decision to put the closure plans on hold.
A suitable celebration followed the news of the reprieve. The June 1990 edition of the Village Magazine reported the good news and the associated activities.
INTRODUCTION BY REV PETER WATKINS
I am delighted to tell you that the latest recommendation of the Working Party for Primary Development is that Church Lawford C.E. First School Should return to its former status.
In the light of this statement the governors will be pressing for a permanent head to be appointed as soon as possible.
This means that we have won the battle to save the school! However there is no room for relaxation for if we are to avoid having to fight this battle again it is imperative that the numbers of children should increase so that the role reaches at least 40 as soon as possible. I would like to thank all of you who have worked so hard to win the fight it has been a real community effort which has brought all sections of the village together.. Let’s make sure we keep it that way in the future.
NOW THE BATTLE IS OVER……..
As most people know by now our school has been saved from the imminent threat of closure and everyone concerned is absolutely delighted. We shall be having a party to celebrate (details elsewhere in this newsletter) and that will be an occasion for much rejoicing, but perhaps we should also take a quieter (and more sober!!) look at the effect of the closure threat on our village.
First of all, ‘the fight’ has done a lot to bring people in the village together: people who had perhaps never spoken before stopped in the shop to exchange views, or to pass on the latest news; those of us who were involved in producing documents for the council or writing letters spent a lot of time in each others houses, drinking coffee and thinking of all the positive things (and there were many) we could say about Church Lawford and its school; and the effects the closure would have on our community. Let us make sure that this community spirit is not lost now that this particular battle has been won.
Secondly let us remember that we may have won this battle but there will be campaigns to be fought in the future. The County have promised a review of all small schools once they have agreed on new criteria; our school will only be safe if we can prove that it is thriving, is financially viable under the financing system of the new Local Management of Schools, and is delivering the National Curriculum to our children. The school CAN do all these things but not without the backing of the local community. That that backing is there was proved by the number of people who turned out to support the school in its recent crisis – it still needs support. There are already many people in the village who contribute to the school by organising farm visits, hearing the children read or even just helping on swimming day, but there must be many more, for example Yvette Emmett was recently looking for people to help the children to learn to knit, and help with craftwork is often appreciated. The school garden could do with some loving care and attention – what about doing this with a small group of children? There will probably be some help with interior decorating needed shortly, and Yvette would gladly supply the material if someone could cover the cushions of the staff room chairs!. If this closure threat has made you realise how valuable our village school is, then please do whatever you can to help to ensure that it is not threatened again. If you don’t know how you could help just ask at the school!
Our school and our community are only as strong as we make them; we have proved that they can be very strong – let’s keep them that way!
Liz and Howard Parvin
VICTORY CELEBRATION AT THE SCHOOL
To celebrate the wonderful news not to close our village school, the Friends of Church Lawford School are organising a party to be held nt the school on Friday 8th June 1990 at 5.30pm. ALL IN THE VILLAGE ARE INVITED.
Tickets are available from: The school, the shop and Polly Doubleday ~ 50p Adults, Over 60’s FREE.
Bring your own alcoholic refreshments, soft beverages will be available.
Buffet will be provided. Do come along and join us to make this a really enjoyable and eventful evening.
All profit from proceeds towards school funds.
Local newspapers, radio, and if possible T.V., are also being invited, so let’s show everyone what the school really means to our community.
P.D.
SCHOOL FIGHTING FUND
On behalf of Friends of Church Lawford School, I would like to express my thanks for the help and support given by members of the village. Many of you, when possible, turned out to support meetings and gave up your time and also the words of encouragement that kept us going. Also to those who have donated to the Fighting Fund a very grateful thanks. The money will be used to promote the school to endeavour to increase the pupil roll and ensure the maximum publicity for the school.
Again, thank you, all of you.
Polly Doubledaу,
Chairman
Friends of Church Lawford School
PARISH COUNCIL – RE SCHOOL
Church Lawford Parish Council wish to express their thanks to Mrs. Polly Doubleday and the Friends of Church Lawford School, the School Governors, parents and all those in the village who supported the school in opposition to the threatened closure. The Parish Council will continue to give its support.
S.A. Cresswell
Chairman
Parish Council
More reports and pictures from the Rugby Advertiser and Evening Telegraph are detailed in the research section of this archive.