News - Local
Primary school shuts its doors for very last time despite battle to save it Source. Leicester Mercury 16/07/10
They campaigned for months to save their school from closure but in the end there was nothing teachers, parents or pupils could do to save Holmfield Primary.

The Leicester Forest East School, which opened in 1937, will shut its doors for the last time today. Although many teachers said there would be tears shed when they said their goodbyes after the final lesson this afternoon, there was a carnival atmosphere yesterday to send the school off in style.

 		Holmfield Primary School acting head teacher David Lloyd
As well as magicians, clowns, football coaches, Filbert Fox and bouncy castles for entertainment, pupils could play Laser Quest and dance at a disco.

The school was placed in special measures last year after inspectors said the quality of teaching was "inadequate".

Despite its latest Ofsted report saying it had made good progress since December, the decision was taken by Leicestershire County Council to close the school.

The fun day was held on Wednesday to give pupils and staff a happy lasting memory of Holmfield.

Acting head teacher David Lloyd, on secondment from Warren Hills School, in Coalville, said his experience at Holmfield had been the most rewarding of his career.

He said: "Despite everything in the past, what has remained is the determination of the staff and pupils here.

"We've had to find new schools for our kids and jobs for our teachers and staff but at no time has anyone not given their all for the school.

"It's been a privilege to work with some fabulous and talented teachers and pupils.

"Everyone has done a fantastic job organising the fun day. It's a great way for the children to enjoy the last couple of days."

The majority of pupils will be sent to nearby schools, including Stafford Leys, Kingsway, Millfield and Ravenhurst.

Ella Steans, seven, said: "I'm going to miss my teacher, Mrs Pinnock. "She taught me how to do joined-up handwriting and she's really nice. "I don't think it's fair that we all have to go to different schools because some of my friends won't be coming to my new school."

Charlotte George, chairwoman of the school's parents and friends association, said: "We did all we could to keep the school but, in the end, there was nothing more we could do. "The spirit at the school still remained great and it's been lovely for the kids to have some great final memories."

Lee Hulme, 38, of Leicester Forest East, whose daughters Charlotte, 11, and Mollie, seven, go to the school, said: "Charlotte isn't as upset but Mollie has really been hit by this. "She's going to Ravenhurst but many of her friends aren't and that's all she talks about. "But it's great they have put this day on for all the kids. They've all been very upset so it's a nice way to go out." Charlotte said: "It's a really good school and we always get a lot of support from our teachers."

Parent Vicky Dade, 32, also of Leicester Forest East, said: "My son Mason is going to secondary school next year but I was hoping my one-year-old daughter could come here. "We were really sad when we heard the school was closing. Mason has loved it here."

Teacher Natalie Prime said it would be hard to fight back the tears when she left for the final time today. She said: "I've been here three years and we're such a close family. The children are fantastic and I'm really going to miss them a lot. "We've not really let the whole situation affect us and have tried to focus on the kids, despite what's been going on."

Year six teacher Rachel Shotton said: "Saying goodbye is going to be awful and I know there will be tears."
 
Holmfield Primary School will shut at the end of the summer term - Updated 07 Apr 10 Source Leicester Mercury
Holmfield Primary School

Councillors voted in favour of closing the Leicester Forest East school at the end of thr Summer Term 2010 at a meeting of Leicestershire County Council's cabinet yesterday.

Location Sparkenhoe Committee Room, County Hall, Glenfield
Officer to contact Ms J. Bailey (Tel. 0116 305 6225)
 E-Mail jenny.bailey@leics.gov.uk
Membership
Mr. D. R. Parsons CBE, CC (Chairman)
Mr. A. M. Kershaw CC
Mr. I. D. Ould CC
Mr. M. B. Page CC
Mrs. L. A. S. Pendleton CC
 Prof. M. E. Preston CC
Mr. J. B. Rhodes CC
Mr. D. A. Sprason CC
Mr. E. F. White CC

View the agenda for the meeting >> L.C.C. Cabinet Meeting Tuesday 6th April 2010 << Opens new window PDF file

The school, which is in special measures, is being closed due to low standards. Education bosses said dwindling numbers of pupils made it "unfeasible" for the school to remain open.

Pupils will be accommodated at nearby schools.

Education officials will draw up a report on the impact the closure will have on neighbouring schools, with the aim of ensuring parents still have a choice of school

Holmfield Primary School set for closure - Submitted 01 Apr 2010 - Source GMB website

Holmefield Primary School in Leicester Forest East is set for closure despite a dramatic improvement in standards.

In June 2009 OFSTED judged that because 'persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement'.

As a result the County Council considered a range of options, one of which was closure. Predictably that was the preferred choice of Councillors despite opposition from parents, governors and staff.

Since then, under a temporary Head Teacher, the staff have been able to demonstrate their dedication and skills and a recent OFSTED report has deemed that progress at the school since the previous monitoring has been 'good'.

Rumours abound that the Council has plans to sell the land for development.

A source at the school has told GMB, "Since the problems have come to light we do not feel we have received much support from County Hall at all or been given a chance to turn this around. Our last inspection is proof of what the staff here can accomplish. As a result of all this bad publicity from the Council many of our pupils have been stigmatised and feel they are failures."

Progress since being subject to special measures –satisfactory
Progress since previous monitoring inspection – good
Newly qualified teachers may not be appointed due to the uncertainty surrounding the school’s future.
The quality of teaching continues to improve.
The pupils’ behaviour is good.

Read the full content of the letter on the Ofsted website from the following link
>> Ofsted Special measures: monitoring inspection of Holmfield Primary School 11 March 2010 << PDF file

Holmfield Primary School website