Save Our School Campaign Hits the BBC

The campaign team had been approached by the BBC Politics Show who wanted to film Boldon C of E school. The idea was to follow the journey of one of its pupils to school, interviewing parents regarding the proposed closure of the school.
The programme was aired on Sunday 3rd February at 12pm on BBC 1.

Adam and Debbie Ainscow played excellent hosts to the film crew providing bacon sandwiches and cocopops to all. Waiting for the weather to settle so that adam could be filmed taking his daily journey to school.

Interviews were then given by Debbie Ainscow and Sean Hudson regarding the school and the proposed closure that has made such a huge impact on parents, staff and children.
Mrs young headteacher played an important role throughout the morning facilitating the BBC crew, organising the children as they where filmed.

Also reporters from The Sunday Express came to speak to parents, children and members of the campaign team. Giving everyone the chance to have their say on the proposed closure. True spirit was shown by all, this has ran throughout the campaign showing not only the importance of the school to the pupils and staff but also to the parents who have formed strong bonds.
On all accounts a very good morning was had by all involved and big thanks you's to the film crew, reporters and to all involved.

The filming went ahead despite the desperate weather conditions that had hit across the country this week. The school had a very brief mention on BBC's look north on Friday 1st february advertising the Politics Show. Highlighting that closure of our school is not just localised to South tyneside but is reaching throughtout the country.

The Sunday Express highlighted the thoughts and feelings of pupils at ST John's Church of England Primary School on the Isle of Wight. Where it is apparent that passion is as high there, as it is in Boldon. We may be many miles apart but the proposals are affecting pupils, staff, parents and communities in the same way. This is another Church of England School proposed for closure.

The closures of such schools would rip the hearts out of many communities, dividing communities and forcing children to take places in larger school further away from their homes and friends. These smaller schools nurture our children, giving them a sense of pride and belonging, gaining confidence in their own abilities and achievements. These are all qualities that as parents we fear our children will loose if bundled into larger classrooms, at schools they do not want to be in, lost within the system.

The BBC Politics show took on the debate of the proposed closures, with representatives from local Conservative party Councillor David Pott's and Lib Dems Nick Colt from Newcastle Council. South Tyneside Council declined to comment on the proposals and no represenatives from local Labour.

The programme highlighted both urban and country schools, represented with Boldon C of E and Chatton Primary school in Wooler. With brief mention of Braxton scool near Wooler which was closed may years ago due to the fall in the numbers of pupils. Now there is a need for this school as new generations within Braxton have to travel to primary schools instead of being able to walk to a school within their village. This is not helping the larger issue of Carbon Footprints which the government are so eager to reduce.

Within the debate by the two councillors a view of looking at alternatives to closure with full consultation with not only the school but to the communities to which these proposals effect. Many fear within Boldon what will become of the building and the site? The same fears are shared in the rural community as well.

Councillor Potts highlighted that greater consultation with parents and local communites needs to be made. Perhaps giving empowerment to parents and the communities to which these schools are apart of needs to be looked at. The parents and children of Boldon C of E are very passionate that their school should not be closed.

Nick Colt picked up on the issue of yes we may have a falling birth rate at present but the future is looking bright for many areas with Regeneration programmes, the type of which is happening within Boldon. Also with the increase of migration from Eastern Europe these children I'm sure would be greater supported within smaller school environments than to be daunted by large schools with bigger class sizes, with no guarantee of a greater education.

I think what the programme has highlighted is that we all know that there has been a fall in the birth rate, tax payers may want greater value for money, but should this be at the expensive of our children? A generation that faces their own battles of daily life. Local government needs to work in partnership with each community effected and not just look at the wider picture, for a quick fix to the problem.