Dear Editor,

I write to you in utter frustration at the Herefordshire Council Education Authority.

As you are aware in December of last year St Weonards Primary School received the Ofsted report of ’Outstanding’. There was a threat of closing the school, and the school was put under the ’Consultation Process’.

The school is part of Herefordshire Marches Federation of Academies. I believe that the HMFA is doing all they can to support St Weonards and they are getting no support from the council.

St Weonards School were given certain criteria to meet, including setting a budget for the next five years.

Having met this criteria Herefordshire Council are still refusing to end this consultation process, and are questioning how the school will continue to give the children ’Outstanding’ education with the cuts being made, although being advised that the cuts in their budget planning do not affect education.

Since the start of January term the school has increased its head count by over 15% with other parents looking for their children to join at the start of the September term, which will increase intake by over 40%.

What underlying motive do the council have? Is it looking for the land for affordable housing?

Why would they want to close an ’Outstanding School’ ? Herefordshire Council should be delighted that they are providing ’Outstanding’ education in the county.

Why haven’t Herefordshire Council been allocating new starters to St Weonards? As a parent that was interested in my child’s education, given the choice in the area I would have no doubt in choosing this school - the only one in the area with an Ofsted ’Outstanding’ Report.

What are Herefordshire Council motives? We need honest answers.

I have grandchildren attending this school and have done for the last five years, I can do nothing but highly recommend this school.

Name and address supplied

Editor’s note: A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “Herefordshire council was asked by the governing body of St Weonards Primary to meet with parents, staff, the local community and neighbouring schools to discuss the future of the school in November 2017. This was because the headteacher and governors of St Weonards Primary School were unable, at the time, to set a balanced budget for future years. A school’s budget is mainly determined by the number on roll; currently St Weonards has the smallest number of pupils on roll in any school in Herefordshire. “Since this time, however, school leaders have made some changes and the number of pupils on roll has increased. This has enabled school leaders to set a balanced budget. No formal consultation on the future of the school has commenced.”