Our consultation response document lays out the arguments for evolving a high performing middle school at Stoke-by-Nayland into an 11-16 secondary school. This is consistent with Suffolk County Council’s proposed transition from a 3 tier to a 2 tier schooling system. We believe this proposition presents solutions to many of the problems facing the council and community in implementing this transition.

The response to the sos-stoke-by-nayland campaign clearly demonstrates what a huge loss to the community (present and future) closure of Stoke by Nayland Middle School would be.  We believe that we have demonstrated very clearly that a Secondary School at Stoke by Nayland can have a strong future and continue to support and sustain this strong rural community.

The key reasons for keeping a secondary school in Stoke-by-Nayland are:

• Stoke-by-Nayland has served its communities very well for over half a century, and is deeply embedded into the fabric of these communities. It is cherished by current pupils, alumni, the community, and local business, as shown by the reaction to our campaign. This sort of goodwill is hard earned and critical for the sustained running of a high achieving school and for the continued economic and social wellbeing of these rural communities.  For instance, many of the links between the feeder villages are formed and re-enforced during the years children attend Stoke-by-Nayland school. As such, Stoke-by-Nayland is ideally placed to serve as a hub for the community via extended services.
• Closing Stoke-by-Nayland Middle School and the County Council’s proposal for only two large urban secondary schools represents a reduction in choice.  This is clearly a retrograde step and inconsistent with Conservative and Labour Party policy on choice.
• A Secondary School at Stoke by Nayland is in the best interest of the children.  It is much less disruptive than the current SOR proposal and is consistent with the Every Child Matters agenda.
• A Secondary School at Stoke by Nayland represents real cost savings to the taxpayer.  Using the SOR cost multiplier, we estimate that this will be in the region of 9 million pounds.  In the current economic climate future investment for Sudbury Schools under the Building Schools for the Future is very uncertain.
• Secondary schools across England are grappling with the revolution in the 14-19 curriculum, our Secondary Schools will be taking this challenge on at the same time as moving from a 3 to a 2-tier schooling system (the double whammy).  A third secondary school at Stoke by Nayland will relieve the pressure from Sudbury and Great Cornard Upper Schools by preventing the need for a large increase in school size alongside the two other major challenges (the triple whammy) and therefore increase the likelihood of success.  A third secondary school will therefore benefit all secondary school pupils in our area.
• It is expected that schools will form federations to deliver 14 diploma topics under the new 14-19 curriculum.  A secondary school at Stoke by Nayland would play an important role in helping a consortium of local schools meet this need.
• Our proposed school size is no impediment.
• A positive response to our proposal would demonstrate that Suffolk County Council is running a real and meaningful consultation where the views of parents and other stakeholders are being taken seriously.