News

HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

21 September 2006

 

It takes a crisis to bring the community together. Those were the words of a parent of one of the children at Lympne Church of England Primary School at the meeting of parents and teachers which took place at Lympne Village Hall last Saturday morning.

The tragedy which befell the school and the community when it burned down so dramatically has certainly left its mark on the community. But it is mixed with a deep sense of thanksgiving that no-one was injured.

The way in which, on the day, staff and children alike responded and left the building so quickly is something which merits great tribute and gratitude. It could very easily have been very different.

Since the fire, the whole community has rallied round. This week the children have been to school at Port Lympne Wildlife Park . Next week they move into the empty buildings at St Mary’s Westbrook in Folkestone and buses will be provided to take them there.

And after my recent criticisms of them over the question of school closures, I am happy to place on record my appreciation of the way in which Kent County Council, the Education Authority, have played their part in putting these arrangements in place.

So far as the proposed school closures are concerned, there was very good news at the end of last week. Both Harcourt Primary School and Selsted Church of England Primary school have been reprieved.

Last week I wrote that few things made me more angry than the proposal to close these schools. This week I am happy to say that few things have given me more satisfaction than the decision to keep them open. I congratulate parents and teachers at both schools on their campaigns in which I was able to take a very active part.

And thanks again to Kent County Council which showed, in the end, that it was, after all, prepared to listen.