§ 65. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the President of the Board of Education why the Rushock church school, which is within the Kidderminster district education area, has been closed, considering that until the re-organisation, which made it a school for children under 11 years of age, it was in a flourishing condition with about 36 scholars; and whether he is aware that there is no other school within two miles, that the school was built by voluntary donations, and that its retention is essential to enable labour to be got for the neighbouring farms?
§ Mr. TREVELYANThe facts are not quite as stated by the hon. Gentleman. When the Rushock school was reorganised, with the consent of the managers, in March, 1923, there were not more than 20 children on the registers, and the average attendance has been under 30 every year, except one, since 1912. In December, 1923, there were six children in the school, one of whom was under four. In these circumstances, the Worcestershire Local Education Authority sought the approval of the Board for the closure of the school, and the Board, on full consideration, have decided that the school is unnecessary, provided that the authority make suitable arrangements for such conveyance of children to another school as may be required.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to reconsider the matter if a sufficient number of scholars is guaranteed for the school?
§ Mr. TREVELYANI am certainly ready to reconsider the matter.