The county's schools are safe from imminent closure, but this is not the case for Lydbury North CofE Primary. This coming Friday marks the end of a formal six-week period of public consultation about its amalgamation with Clunbury CofE Primary, some four and a half miles away.
This would lead to the closure of Lydbury North: not on grounds of educational performance, but merely to fit in with the now abandoned policy of the Local Education Authority. While the Independent Policy Commission deliberates, I am fighting at the highest level - I raised the issue directly with the Prime Minister last week - and have made direct appeals to the County Council Cabinet to save the school.
Losing the school can have a devastating impact on a village and its surrounding area. Families with small children gradually move, taking with them the lifeblood of economic activity and community life and leaving behind a village destined to suffer demographic drift into retirement home status.
Another amalgamation of Ashford Carbonnel and Caynham primary schools to the south of Ludlow has now been agreed, leading to closure of both schools and building a new school on a site which has not been without controversy.
Conservative proposals to increase parent choice will encourage smaller and more varied schools in response to parent demand and help preserve those schools which have strong community support.
