TORY THREAT TO RURAL SCHOOLS

12.57.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 15th Mar 2005

Conservative plans to allow free rein to market forces to determine the size of school intakes would put rural schools at risk, David Rendel MP has warned.

Speaking in the Second Reading debate for the Government's Education Bill, Mr Rendel warned against proposals which will allow some rural schools to expand at the expense of others nearby.

Commenting, he said:

"If better off parents can move their children to a more popular school in the next village, many rural schools will be forced to close. This would cause great difficulty for less well off families, without transport of their own, and be a further blow to the viability of rural communities.

"But this is the inevitable result of the Conservatives' agenda - choice for the few, instead of quality for all. A Conservative Government under Michael Howard would force the closure of many of West Berkshire's rural schools.

"We have to protect the whole of our community, not just those who have the power and wealth to go where they choose. That means making sure that quality schools are available to everybody locally - including in our rural communities."

ENDS