Education is Staying in Great Alne. - Manuela Perteghella MP

I have long campaigned, together with local councillors, Cllr James Norris and Cllr Tom Ballinger, to keep Great Alne Primary school open.

When Reform led Warwickshire County Council decided to close Great Alne Primary, I campaigned to keep the school open because of the significant impact closure would have on the village and its families.

After doors closed this year, I continued my campaign to keep the school site open as an educational establishment. Now, the Council propose to reopen the school as a SEND specialist facility.

I am pleased that our call to keep Great Alne open as an educational facility has been answered with a new school that will provide SEND spaces. I take calls every week from parents who feel trapped by the lack of services for their children with special needs. We know that students and parents are being failed by systems that cannot cope with demand.

However, specialist provision could have been integrated in the mainstream primary school, maintaining choice for all families in Great Alne.

Local village schools are a core part of the fabric of a community. In these small communities, having a place for all children to go to school, where they can ideally walk in or commute safely, is the best option for children and parents.

I brought a debate to the House on the importance of Village Schools. You can watch my contribution below.