Hear all Sides - School debate

ON Tuesday, I went to Eastbourne School Sports Day. I saw a school full of pupils and staff all working together.

The pupils were encouraging everyone to win and those that did not were cheered and encouraged to keep going. The pupils who did not win but still competed were given equally genuine cheers as they crossed the line.

The atmosphere was friendly and competitive, but in a nice way.

I have read how some people at Hurworth do not wish to mix their children with the "truants" and "disruptive pupils" at Eastbourne. But none of those descriptions matches the pupils I saw.

The pupils were children the Eastbourne parents are proud of and they are children who equally deserve a good education.

The teachers appeared to be pleased with everyone's efforts and showed a genuine commitment in encouraging the best from the pupils.

While I can understand some people may not want Hurworth to close, let's stop putting Eastbourne down.

I saw a school full of people equally deserving of a new building and opportunity.

If the community of Hurworth wishes to fight to save their school, do not rubbish Eastbourne.

While the exam success needs to be better, let's work on the children now at the school.

Give Eastbourne a fair and deserved chance. - Alison Pattison, Darlington.

location is important

IN response to comments made by some of the residents of Eastbourne, I am a parent of two children who go to Middleton St George Primary School. We moved from the town to the village for a very good reason - Hurworth Comprehensive School.

This is not because I think that my children are better than anyone else's, but because I would prefer my children to go to a small school, with a good academic record in a rural location.

The location suggested by Darlington council for the new school is poorly thought out. Not only is it next to an industrial estate, but it also suffers from extreme traffic congestion which will only be increased by the new school. - Jacqui Coulson, Middleton St George.

In favour of moving

THE Hurworth objectors appear to be labouring under the misapprehension that Hurworth pupils need to be transported en masse to the new school.

Over half of Hurworth pupils reside in Eastbourne, Lascelles, Firth Moor and Bank Top. The new site would cater admirably for them since it is within walking and cycling distance.

Furthermore, the new site is actually closer for the children travelling from Middleton St George, Sadberge and Bishopton and can also be accessed by public transport.

On another note, while we hear of the "opposition growing" to the new Hurworth site, we at Eastbourne School probably constitute a majority voice on the subject in favour of the proposal.

Despite the best efforts of staff, our school is crumbling, our facilities aren't the best and we have an awful stigma to overcome. We need a new school; all the better if we could share it with the rest of the community. - Julie Welsh, Darlington.

Identity will be lost

AS a concerned parent from Hurworth, I am curious to know how the local education authority is marketing the closures of our two schools to both parties?

Do the parents from the Eastbourne area know that it isn't a merger but a complete "takeover" by Hurworth, that none of Eastbourne's identity, hard work, history and effort will have a place in this new school? Because after all, the LEA is merely "relocating" a village school to the town. - Anne Owens, Hurworth Place.

Impact on village life

I WAS disappointed to read that the debate could be degenerating into a Hurworth parents v Eastbourne parents battle.

I believe all children deserve a high quality of education. Hurworth has achieved this for a number of years. It is not only good teaching, but it is also the clean, healthy and safe environment which contributes greatly to the standards achieved. This cannot be replicated elsewhere, especially not in the middle of an industrial site.

This debate is more than the closure of a top performing school; it is also ripping the heart out of village life.

Our rural communities must be protected; we cannot allow this pillaging of our countryside by a few self-promoting, politically-motivated individuals. This debate is not Hurworth and other villages against Eastbourne; it is much further ranging.

Build a new school for Eastbourne with the best facilities and I am sure the village communities will support the development, but do not take away rural choice. - Steven Kyle, Hurworth.