School mergers can be a success
THE proposal for a new secondary school in the north-west of Sheffield is not, as the local Lib-Dem claims, 'a plan to close Wisewood School' but a proposal to replace two schools with inadequate buildings with a brand new school fit for the 21st century, building on the existing strengths and expertise of the staff of both.
Furthermore, there will be still further additional options for young people as to the kind of education and/or training to best meet their needs if the proposal for the new 14-19 centre is accepted.
I have lived in the area for 40 years, and have been a governor of both Wisewood and Myers Grove schools. I have done supply teaching at both schools and represent people in Walkley whose children, like mine some years ago, walk every day across Rivelin Valley to Myers Grove. Like other councillors, I have seen the projected numbers of pupils in the area and know that doing nothing is not an option if the quality of their education is not to suffer.
I also taught at Frecheville school 20 years ago when it was merged with Thornbridge to form Birley Community College, which has flourished to become one of the most popular schools in Sheffield as have Meadowhead and Handsworth Grange, also merged in the 80s when pupil numbers plummeted. They are proof that such mergers can be extremely successful, even without brand new state-of-the-art buildings to move into - as is proposed in north west Sheffield.
If the proposals for this completely new school (Loxley Valley school?) are rejected, what alternative plans are the Lib-Dems putting forward to make the best possible use of the fewer resources likely to be available for the smaller number of children in the future? Why are they pretending that the proposal is only about closing Wisewood and not about closing Myers Grove also? Are they not concerned about the future of children in Stannington and Walkley?
If the Lib-Dems can come up with a realistic alternative plan for the area's schools, please can they let parents in the area, council officers and their colleagues in other parties know. The whole point of the 20 consultative meetings is to discuss the issues and possibilities and listen to local people before a final decision is made.
It is certainly not in the interests of the Labour Party in Hillsborough or anywhere else to do anything other than to provide the best possible educational opportunities for local youngsters.
Veronica Hardstaff, Labour Councillor for Walkley, Vice-Chair, Rivelin Primary SchoolEvening meal was a delight at Holiday Inn
MY family and I have just returned from having a meal at the Royal Victoria/Holiday Inn in Sheffield. It was absolutely marvellous. Not only was the food superb but the service was way above our expectations. When booking the meal I mentioned it was also our daughter's birthday who is 11. The staff made her feel so very special with balloons and banners.
The hotel was decorated with Christmas trimmings which looked lovely.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and it didn't cost the earth.
Mrs Dianne Taylor, Christmas Cottage, Moorhole Lane, Mosborough
Airport staff were rude and unhelpful
I RECENTLY flew, for the first time from Robin Hood Airport to Dublin. I had in my hand luggage my perfume. At no point was I asked if I had anything in my bag that wasn't allowed through security without being in a plastic bag, so I did not realise.
I got through to security and they told me that I could not take my perfume unless it was in a plastic bag. I explained I didn't have one, so they said I could not take it. I was charged 3 to buy an envelope to address it to myself and send it home to myself, therefore going on holiday with no perfume, and worrying that it would get smashed in transit.
This was a 45 bottle of perfume so you can imagine my worry.
My point is, how can they charge 3 to send your item home, instead of supplying a plastic bag for you to take your item with you. I would have even paid 3 for a plastic bag!
I think it is disgusting how they can do this, and the staff were so rude, the lad spoke to me like I was an idiot. Telling me there were 'hundreds' of signs round the airport, which I assured them there was not.
Clare HockneyNot enough time to give an opinion on proposed mosque
IN recent years the city council has made a point of informing the public whenever a new building is to grace the city centre or surrounding areas. They also go to great lengths keeping people informed of the progress on major road works in various parts of the city, together with on-going developments at the railway station approach.
All this information is usually circulated via The Star and is one way of giving the public the opportunity to praise, or criticise, their decisions. In keeping with this policy The Star, on Friday, December 1, published an article laying out the planners' dream of a regenerated Sheffield under the banner; 'City must keep moving'.
In view of all this I find it rather strange that a building, which on completion, would dominate the skyline and its surroundings, only became known to local people last week. I refer to the proposed building of a Mosque and Islamic Centre between Grimesthorpe Road, Petre Street and Botham Street at Grimesthorpe. With a shut-off date of December 6 for letters and comments there appears to be little point having an opinion one way or the other!
Brian Wells, Whiteways Drive, Sheffield 4
Using train more is costing too much
IF the problem in Sheffield is cars parking all day then isn't the first logical step just to have traffic wardens monitoring the short-stay parking bays? By charging for parking in the evenings, this seems just another money-making scheme and also sends confusing messages - the Government want us to use our cars less and yet in Sheffield we're also making it more difficult and more costly to use the train? If there is logic in there I'm failing to see it!
Name and address supplied
Thanks to The Star for solving problem
I'D just like to say a big thank you to Action Desk for helping sort my recent problem out with B&Q.
I am happy to say that I have now finally received my merchant's chest and as a gesture of goodwill B&Q have refunded me the cost of the item which proved so difficult to get hold of. As far as I am concerned the matter is now closed, but I strongly doubt that this would be the case had it not been for the intervention of The Star.
Graham Ibberson, Todwick, Sheffield
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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