Street protest over plans for schools
Undaunted by the heavy rain, almost 200 people joined members of the Hands Off Tamworth Schools action group as they waived banners and placards through the town centre on December 20.
"We were extremely pleased with the turn-out which exceeded our expectations," explained protest organiser Julie Morgan.
"The demonstration was called at short notice and late in the year when people are pre-occupied with their preparations for Christmas.
"Despite this, we had a fantastic response and I would personally like to thank everyone who took part and showed support for our schools."
Campaigners who gathered outside Rawlett High School made their way into Tamworth, to meet other protestors at QEMS, before coming together at the bandstand in the Castle Grounds.
There they heard a brief speech from Dr Richard Hatcher, of the Birmingham Campaign Against Academies.
Compere Glen Buglass then read out a number of messages of support received by the campaign – including from popular children's author Alan Gibbons and award-winning veteran film director Ken Loach.
Ken Loach's message read: "It seems that the bureaucrats and politicians are bent on more destruction.
"Good schools take a long time to develop.
"I remember our school in Nuneaton playing Queen Elizabeth's back in the 1950s – although I'm not sure what at, or who won.
"The insistence on academies, on private business poking their noses into education, is driven by narrow political dogma.
"They'll be telling surgeons which scalpel to use next.
"We need schools that are run by experienced teachers, not dilettante industrialists or entrepreneurs.
"Please keep up the campaign until you win!"
Campaigners then celebrated the festive season with a Christmas party at the Philip Dix Centre, in Corporation Street.
There, 100 local children and parents made Christmas cards, bearing inside messages which gave their views on the county council's plans for education in Tamworth.
The cards will be delivered to county bosses by Santa, who put in a special appearance at the party.
Under outline proposals from the county, which are subject to change, two town high schools face closure.
QEMS would should its doors and re-open as a sixth form centre, while Woodhouse High School would close and re-open as a privately-run academy.
Sixth form centres at the town's remaining high schools – Wilnecote, Rawlett, Belgrave and Woodhouse – would be phased out.
Consultation on the proposals is still ongoing.
Anyone who has not registered their views to the county council can do so by emailing bsf@staffordshire.gov.uk or in writing using the BSF forms and booklets available from Tamworth Library.
To view the plans in full log on to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/bsf.
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