Dear Mr Arkless,
A report on the consultation on the Alnwick Partnership has put forward the proposal to close Branton Schools (Branton Community First School and Breamish Valley Community Nursery) as of August 2017.
Not only is there support for the schools remaining open but also there is an alternative to the proposed closure.
Branton Schools are still here because of huge community support. A previous proposed closure was fought as recently as 2012 but the schools remain because of the support received from the community.
Primary education can be provided at Branton and the schools can work with other schools in the area to ensure this is constantly of a high quality and relevant to our community.
The schools are well equipped to support pupils with additional needs, owing to their peaceful location, ease of access and good adult-to-pupil ratios.
The schools are unique in that they adjoin a nature conservation area. Consequently, it is proposed that this is developed as an educational resource for the wider community, while still retaining ongoing educational provision for our local community at Branton.
The unique location of Branton Schools within the Breamish Valley can credibly provide support to potentially vulnerable children who have additional educational needs. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that being within nature on a daily basis improves memory, enhances our health, increases sociability and significantly improves our sense of well-being. In a fast-paced, stressful and potentially divisive modern Britain, if these benefits can be provided for our children it seems worthy of careful consideration. Certainly, the proposal to utilise the schools’ unique location to develop educational resources for the wider community within the County, whilst maintaining ongoing educational provision for local children, is commendable.
Please take into consideration all signatories of the petition to save the school at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/697/634/130/ and comments therein.
Sincerely,
All signatories of the petition.
