CONCERNED councillors have stressed the need to support a head teacher to get the best education for our primary school children.
Head Angela Ewing will cut seven classes to six across North Downs Primary School's three village sites in Betchworth, Leigh and Brockham, for September.
The money-saving move will mean axing a teacher post, while reducing pupil numbers at Betchworth from 44 to 30 and increasing students at Leigh from 43 to 60.
The children are currently taught in mixed age classes across the two sites but the reshuffle will mean Betchworth will teach just reception ages, and separate Year 1 and Year 2 classes will be taught at Leigh.
Surrey county councillor and former school governor Helyn Clack said the current mixed age classes were "not working".
"I would fight tooth and nail to keep the two other sites going," she said. "The education is most important. At the moment you have kids of different ages in the same building – it can be quite disruptive."
Brockham parish councillor Dave Richards said: "The head teacher has got quite a job on her hands. She must be allowed to carry on picking up the pieces from the last few years.
"It's a very good school and fingers crossed it will be even better in the future."
But Betchworth parish councillor Andrew Taylor, whose three children will visit all three sites, was still concerned, even though he recognised Mrs Ewing's commitment to education.
Mr Taylor said: "I don't think anyone disagrees that their education is important, but parents are concerned that, if the demographic alters, the site may be vulnerable."
Mr Taylor added the parish council is still awaiting an answer to their letter sent to the school three weeks ago.
Meanwhile the North Downs Primary School head teacher said pupils will not be "banned" from cycling or walking to two of the schools, even though she told parents and governors the Betchworth and Leigh bases would be "driving-only" from September.
Mrs Ewing said: "I never used the word banned. It's ludicrous to think anyone can do that. It's to do with redressing the reshuffle.
"It isn't about how we get to school, it's about the quality of education we are trying to provide."
