Liverpool Liberal Party

Dear Editor,

I have little doubt I was the sole councillor who attend the Special Education Committee meeting (Thursday 23rd Oct) with an open mind on the merits or otherwise of closing Croxteth Comprehensive School

Clearly this area of the city is equally effected by reducing school populations and the fact government funding policy will not support "Village Schools"

At the Committee I asked Key questions as to the alternative schools being secular or catholic

I asked for information over the educational added value of Croxteth Comp and lastly what provision would be made to redeploy highly skilled and motivated staff to nearby schools.

The response showed Croxteth Comp for four years had provided above national average added educational value. The response over staff was helpful but not robust

The fundamental question of whether non-catholic children would in effect be directed to a catholic controlled school, the response was a Yes.

It was a founding principle of my party at the turn of the century to ensure all parents had an effective choice between catholic, protestant and/or secular education.

Therefore I voted against the closure and re-iterate my personal commitment
to ensure all parents have effective choice between faith , secular , single and co-educational schools within a reasonable catchment area.

Councillor Steve Radford
Leader Liberal Party Group