I attended the special Halesowen Area Committee to discuss the planned closures of Halesowen C of E Primary School and Cradley High.

Parents, Teachers and Pupils all presented valid arguments as to why these two schools should stay open. But in response both the Tory Cabinet Member and the Director could just keep repeating the mantra of high unit costs for the reason for closure. These high unit costs arising because of the surplus' (empty) places in the schools.

However, after looking at the report for the meeting all Primary Schools in Halesowen have surplus' places. So which school do the Tories plan to close next? Will it be Lutley or will it be Tenterfields?

I asked this direct question but the only answer that came back was that Labour closes schools in Sandwell, so there.

Our children's education should not be reduced to the logic of accountants and high unit costs. All our children deserve access to good local schools. Where will the 600 pupils from Cradley High all go? Windsor and The Earls are already full.

Unfortunately the logic for this crazy situation is the direct result of the Government's policies in education. To save the future of our schools and public services from market reform' closures we need a change in politics. We need politicians that will stand up for public services and respect local need ahead of unit costs.

Tony Barnsley, Respect, Halesowen