At this week’s Labour Party conference, I told delegates about Medway’s Tories plans to close Ridge Meadow School in Chatham. During the conference, I wore one of the Ridge Meadow school t-shirts to show support, and also shared the experiences of the other schools threatened with closure, St Peter’s and St Johns.

I was pleased to be able to press Ridge Meadow’s case as a part of the education debate.  I pointed out that a school with huge support from the community, improving standards, a successful nursery unit and a governing body with the Financial Management in Schools accreditation, should not be closed.

The Labour Government introduced the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda, but it seems in Medway that children at Ridge Meadow don’t matter to the Tory council.  Local people feel that all the Council is interested in is the land.

I have encouraged everyone at the conference to show their support by signing up to the Facebook campaign.  We need to stop this closure by Medway’s Tories, and put an end to parents’ concerns for their children’s futures.

Cllr Bill Esterson

Labour spokesman, Childrens Services, Medway Council, tel - 07976 628730