Parents and community members oppose the closure of Severn View Academy School, Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Whilst the school has amazing teachers, facilities and of course students they have been let down by the management of the academy chain who has neglected to invest time and money for many years to increase student numbers. This can be evidenced by many people.

We feel that after the year the children have had during the pandemic the closure of their school is severely detrimental to their learning and mental health.

Many children that attend the school have parents that cant drive and will find it extremely difficult to access any other schools locally.

We would also like to raise the following points 

1. We recognise that the students are low, this has been a problem for some time. It has been highlighted to the academy trust by the PTA, local representatives and help has been offered but the trust have done very little to increase pupil numbers and have let the school down.

2. The teaching staff at the school are wonderful and have done all they can to support students at the school

3. The top of town area of Stroud has had a significant amount of services taken away and defunded in recent years including a family centre and nursery. This is the only remaining community facility.

4. Other local schools are already at capacity, we are not confident there are suitable alternatives for the students and there is a need locally for this school if only proper investment and confidence in the community could be returned.

5. We demand that Gloucestershire County Council and the Department of Eduction commit to stopping the closure of the school and find an alternative solution to closure and show their commitment to children's education and mental health.