THe biggest shakeup of education the area has ever seen was revealed to Headteachers and Governors last Thursday. Councillors were given a presentation of the proposals on Friday. Every family in Ross must be wondering what the implications of the wideranging changes will mean to their children, or grandchildren. The proposed changes, which will affect nearly every school in the area, are outlined on page 2 of this week's paper but they include amalgamating Brampton Abbotts with St Joseph's, Lea with Weston under Penyard and Whitchurch with Llangrove. Brian Bird, Headteacher at Weston School, asked why the Director of Children's Services, Sharon Menghini is 'intending to destroy communities that she has never even visited'. Brian Bird was speaking to a hastily convened meeting of parents and other members of the community when he said that Ms Menghini had never visited Weston School and to the best of his knowledge had never visited Lea School and yet she was proposing closures 'which would rip the heart out of the local education system'. More than 70 people crammed into the school hall for the meeting. These included parents who had moved to Weston to give their children a village school eduction, as well as local people whose families had attended Weston School for generations. Kate Barratt, vice Chair of the Governors said: "I have been through this before and however good the intentions of everyone involved in an amalgamation this will distract from the education of the children for up to five years." The Chair of the Governors, Helen Barker, said that the governors had asked tough questions after their presentation. They wanted to know facts and figures regarding savings, outcomes and transport implications and she said, the officers could not answer them. The Governors were told that the details 'would be worked out later'. Local Councillors were as shocked as staff and parents when they learnt of the extensive measures that were proposed. Councillor Jenny Hyde, who is the Cabinet Member for Children's Services said:?"I know many people think that as a Cabinet Member I was aware of these proposals before they were made public but there was no input into this report from Councillors. "I have met with Andrew Best, the headteacher of Llangrove School, and the Chair of the Governors, and I have pledged to support them as the ward member, and help them make a case for the Council to change its mind." Councillor Harry Bramer told the Ross Gazette he would be giving Weston School his support and stressed that the review had been prepared without any political involvement by elected Councillors. He said:"To lose our school in Weston would be a disaster of unthinkable proportions – the welfare of every child is vital – the heart of our Community is at stake, this school will not close without a fight of gargantuan proportions." Councillor Phil Cutter, who is now on holiday, spoke to the Gazette before he left and pledged his support of local schools. He said:?"I'm sure there will be a full and robust debate with reference to school amalgamations in which I intend to take part and speak up for schools in the Ross area and of course the rest of the county. "As I am a Governor of St Joseph's, it is of course, of particular interest to me. I will be having consultations and discussions with teachers, governors and parents when I return from holiday. The children's education is my first priority."  A promise to keep disruption to children's education to a minimum was made by every school the Ross Gazette was able to speak to this week. Headteachers agreed it was 'business as usual' at their schools while the consultation process was in progress. However at Weston School a plan of co-ordinated action to cause disruption and to attract national press attention is being planned by parents. Midlands Today was filming at the school on Monday and a public meeting is planned for Thursday, with local MP Paul Keetch, CPC Jesse Norman, a Diocesan representative and the Chair of the Governors has invited a representative of the education service. But as one parent, Mike Gibson, pointed out:?"As well as publicity we need an articulate, intelligent answer to the review, we need to undermine the credibility of their arguments."

Helen Barker added:"They have already made a mess of the process and cannot cope with the consultation procedure. We will mount a legal challenge, we will not stand by and let them steamroller us." Mike Gibson, said that in other areas legal challenges have been mounted successfully and a solicitor who fought a school closure in Scotland has sent a list of things for them to look into. Another parent, Gerry Ward, said:?"We could go thorough all this and still have to fight against closure in the future." Rick Stevenson, Chair of Governors at Brampton Abbotts School said they were 'shocked and dismayed at the scale and manner of the announcements' He said:?"Changes in school provision in Ross may well be necessary, after a disastrous start to the process we now urgently need an informed debate producing rational proposals." Captain William Harris, Chair of Governors, and Mrs Bernie Davies the Acting Head at St Josephs School said: "Our main concern is to ensure that we preserve our unique Catholic ethos."