News Release

12th July 2004

REPRIEVE FOR QUEEN'S CROFT SCHOOL, LICHFIELD?

Following Michael Fabricant's recent visit to Queen's Croft School in Lichfield and hearing the concerns of pupils, teachers, and parents over the merger with Saxon Hill School (see news story of 14th May) , schools minister, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, has told Michael that no firm decision has been made by the County.

Michael Fabricant wrote to the minister stating that he shared the views of parents concerning the merger and says that "it seems a cruel and heartless change that will not benefit the education of either Queen's Croft or Saxon Hill students". The Minister in a reply to Michael Fabricant says that her officials contacted the Staffordshire Local Education Authority (LEA) to discover that "no firm decisions have been made about the future of any of the Authority's schools at the present time". She went on to say "LEAs cannot arbitrarily decide to close a special school...... it has to consult all interested parties including... the parents of pupils at the school".

Michael Fabricant says "The Minister has told me that the LEA alone cannot make this decision. There is a School Organisation Committee and an independent adjudicator who makes decisions where local agreement cannot be reached. I urge parents to write to the LEA to register their concerns. Baroness Ashton has also said that if necessary, Sue Mackenzie of the Department of Education and Skills' Special Educational Needs and Disability Division would be happy to advise about the process. Concerned parents can contact her on 020 7925 5523.