Liberal Democrats welcome halt in closure of Middle Schools

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Sep 2009

Liberal Democrats in Suffolk have welcomed the halt in the closure of Middle Schools, announced yesterday by Suffolk County Council.

Commenting on the announcement Lib Dem Education spokesman, Cllr Penny Otton said "This is a welcome reprieve for the Middle Schools in phase 3 of the reorganisation, some of which are in my County Division. We have been calling for a halt to this unpopular closure programme right from the beginning. However it became clear earlier this year that national government would have to drop some of its public spending plans. When we asked for a halt to the closure programme in March this year we were told very firmly that the Conservatives intended to press ahead regardless. We have said all along that the abolition of Middle Schools was unnecessary and the recent GCSE and A level results show that."

Councillor Otton represents schools in the Thurston and Stowmarket catchment areas.

Recently elected Bury St. Edmunds Lib Dem County Councillor Craig Dearden-Phillips added "If the County Council had gone ahead with the reorganisation we were facing the probability of split site working for schools for many years to come. This would have been the worst of all worlds.

"We must now ensure that we retain our talented teaching staff and provide stability for pupils, so that their education doesn't suffer from further disruption and uncertainty."