Date: 7th October 2009

                                                Tories to Close St. John’s School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
              
Yesterday, Medway’s Tory Cabinet confirmed their decision to close St. John’s school, leaving staff, parents and their children upset at both the outcome and the way the process was managed.
The Cabinet used the new OFSTED report- co-incidentally published on the day- in their deliberations, as well as claims over surplus numbers and staff, despite all of these being refuted by the Headteacher and Chair of Governors.
The process now moves into the statutory six-week representation phase, but as it stands the school will close in August of next year.
Cllr Esterson said,
“Once more, the Head, Diana Keating, and the Chair of Governors, Jim Wyper, gave strong, fact-based speeches that completely blew apart the Tories’ justification for closing the school.”
“No teachers have handed in their notice, which was one aspect the Tories based their decision on.  The buildings are in good repair, and surplus places are lower than the cut off.  Exactly the same arguments apply to St John’s as to St. Peter’s, the school that’s been saved from closure, so how can they come to a different decision?”
“I find the sudden OFSTED report a bit fishy: the fact that the school has had the inspection early, with the report coming out just before Cabinet.  The Tories made much of this, ignoring the fact that this year, OFSTED have changed how schools are judged, and that it’s overall a very good report.”
“I know everyone at the school will be devastated, but we will continue to work with them and explore every option for St. John’s.”
ENDS

For further comment please contact Cllr Bill Esterson on Mobile: 07976 628730.  Alternatively contact the Group office on 01634 332393.