Sir - I am extremely worried about the proposed changes to the education system, as are a large number of parents in the area. Of particular concern is the speed at which the Local Education Authority carried out its review and then announced a school closure list which, in effect, made the process irreversible.
I assume that Cllr Mudd's belief that: "The vast majority of parents, teachers and governors support the plans," (KN 26th June 1998), is based on the responses to the questionnaire given out early this year.
This gave little information to the parents on which they could base their opinion, and less than half of them actually returned it. Some of the questions were worded so that they could really only be answered in one way.
If the review team and councillors believe they have the support of the majority of parents for the proposed changes as they stand, why don't they hold a simple ballot of all the parents in the area and find out what the results really are ?
(Dr.) David Halsall
Malsis Road
SIR - Councillor Andy Mudd is once again demonstrating the party line from Bradford rather than listening to the concerns of the people of Aire-Worth region. from the column at reference I quote: "We should not let vociferous minorities distract us."
In respect of the closures of Bronte Middle School and Oldfield First School, both in the Worth Valley ward, can I gently remind him that it was this very issue that brought about the downfall of the Labour candidate, Linda Woodward.
Jan Smithies acknowleges this in the Worth Valley Labour Party newsletter for June 1998. She writes: "The schools review clearly hit us hard, with some strong local campaigns to keep schools open, and the Labour administration being seen as incompetent/uncaring by some people."
It would seem a vociferous majority of the local electorate chose instead to vote for candidates who would oppose centralist policies in favour of candidates more sympathetic to local issues.
Perhaps Counillor Mudd is uncertain as to where this vociferous minority lies, in which case I will be delighted to inform your readers and Councillor Mudd himself.
In his report to members - June 1998 - Councillor Mike Young raises his concerns in point four of this report: "I would like Oldfield School to be considered as a special case to stay open because of its location and importance to the community. I am sure you will be aware of the vociferous campaign led by parents and local residents against the closure.
"The new Tory councillor has brought a new dimension to the situation. I visited the school again recently to talk to the head."
Councillor Young then asks in the same report to have Bronte Middle School linked to Labour's 30 education promises.
Councillor Mudd should get his own party to agree on the schools review before calling on a wider audience.
David McKay,
Secretary, Aire-Worth Reform Association,
Station Road,
SIR - The headlines in last week's Keighley News warning of impending disaster for Keighley schoolchildren, couldn't be nearer the truth, for Keighley would indeed face disaster. The Keighley News is to be commended for bringing it to the notice of the government.
I and many hundreds of concerned people (not the vociferous few) believe these proposals must not be allowed to go through unchecked.
Indeed, plenty are of the opinion that the so called consultations were nothing but a sham, many of the decisions being cut and dried before been made public.
For instance, it's been told on good authority that approaches were made to the owner of fields adjacent to Bronte playing fields, to sell them to provide access for house building on the school land.
If so, it's disgracefully underhand and I urge people who are appalled by the decisions being forced upon them by Bradford Council to write to David Blunket and our MP Ann Cryer, to underline that many of the proposals are the complete opposite to government promises to stop the closure of small village school and the selling off of much needed green sites and playing fields for housebuilding.
As a past Labour voter, Bradford Council will never get my vote again. Finally, it's a well known fact that Mudd and Flood spell disaster if not contained. So action needs to be taken to prevent it.
Mrs K Phillip,
SIR - I read the Keighley News this week with a degree of incredulity.
Not only has the paper proudly abandoned any attempt at impartiality it has also apparently decided not to bother putting both sides of the argument - or even finding out what the other side of the argument is.
John Roberts wants to turn Oakbank into a two-and-a-half thousand pupil split site mega school and the Keighley News supports him.
No matter that the proposal does not enjoy the support of other heads or governing bodies, no matter that it is based upon a ridiculous assumption about parental choice which predicts that all Keighley parents will want their child to go to Oakbank or Greenhead, no matter that it flies in the face of what parents all over the district have clearly said about large schools.
I know before you protest your innocence that some comment from me appeared alongside the lead story and front page editorial, but that came from a Council press release. Your reporter did not seek the views of any Labour Councillor or Council officer about the figures that Mr Roberts quoted. Had they done so, they might have discovered that they tell only half the story.
Do you really believe that people who live in East Morton and Riddlesden should not have the opportunity to sent their children to the school which is nearest to them just because it is in Bingley not Keighley?
Do you really want to deny parental choice to those at the top end of the Worth Valley who would find it more convenient to send their child to school in Cullingworth than to bring them in to the centre of Keighley?
And what of the people in Denholme, Cullingworth, Harden, Wilsden and Sandy Lane? Do you really support a situation where those children have to spend an hour travelling each day just so that Oakbank can double in size? How on earth would restricting parental choice in this way help education in Keighley?
The editor of the Keighley News is as entitled to an opinion as everybody else, but surely he must also have some sort of responsibility to present a balanced view of things.
If anybody is in any doubt about the powerful effect which the press can have they need only look at the other letters on this page. I have absolutely no doubt that this letter will be surrounded by ones that support the Oakbank position. Perhaps the paper could change its name to the Oakbank Clarion or the Roberts Echo. At least then people would know not to expect impartiality.
Cllr Andy Mudd,
Wimborne Drive,
Blackhill, Keighley
Editor's reply: A local newspaper has the responsibility of reflecting the views of those whose voices are not normally heard. That is all we have done during this debate.
In other parts of the Bradford area others have resorted to legal action in a bid to ensure the issue is thouroughly considered.
The Keighley News is not saying John Roberts is right or wrong. His views and those of supporters have a right to be considered and not summarily dismissed.
SIR - Councillor Greenwood, leader of Bradford Council, was quoted in a local newspaper saying that the Labour group will run this city.
He is right, the letter from yourself to the Minister (KN, July 26, 1998) shows how many people are feeling the effects.
On BBC television Look North, people were to be seen demonstrating outside City Hall over the schools review, even one lady who was interviewed, considering taking legal action against the council.
Like the UDP it is unlikely that their concerns and objecting will have any relevance. This is the end result of a council where one party has a majority that is far too high.
This arrogance was demonstrated all too well over the UDP when people where referred to as selfish by a Bradford councillor.
The only way to curb this sort of attitude is for people to vote for alternative candidates, to be precise, show this council the red card.
On a personal note, I am grateful that my child did not have to depend on Bradford's Flood and Mudd education system, and even more grateful that in a few more days I will no longer be a citizen of Bradford Metropolitan District.
R P Beale,
Currer Walk,
Steeton, Keighley
SIR - I would like to take this oppurtunity through your columns to thank everyone involved in the organisation of our 'Fun Day' at the Child Development Centre on Saturday June 20.
In particular the following local firms who supported us:- Marks & Spencer (Keighley), Morrisons (Skipton), Tesco (Skipton), Whitaker's Chocolates, Skipton Building Society, Sunwin House, Boots (Keighley), Johnson & Johnson, Napier's Restaurant, Thornton's Grocers in Cross Hills, Offshoot Health Shop (Keighley) and Booth's Supermarket of Ilkley.
We raised the magnificent sum of £700, and special thanks must go to Barclay's Bank in Keighley for their help on the day and their very generous financial backing.
CHRISTINE HOLMES
Secretary,
Friends of Airedale Development Centre
A typographical error in a letter featured in last week's Keighley News - from Mrs May Carter - meant that the word step appeared as stern. We apologise for any embarrassment caused.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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