TOTALLY OFF GUARD AND OVERWHELMED…
I honestly don’t really know how to put this statement into words.
I release what I believe is right. I release what I think you should know. But until I have hard facts, I don’t say anything.
I receive messages from parents who are struggling and in need, and I reply to each and every one of them.
I don’t make promises.
But I give my WORD that I will do everything I can to get their voices heard.
Today, though, I received another message that completely knocked me back.
I’m only human.
And yes, men do get emotional.
Especially when you genuinely believe you are doing the right thing.
I remember back in 2024, when I first started this campaign, being told I was “bonkers” because I wasn’t following the so-called protest book.
But I’m not a protester.
I campaigned , and still campaign, for my school, SNEYD.
Then, as I started looking deeper and asking more questions, I found something much bigger.
The education situation in Walsall is a mess. And that is why I have always said:
WALSALL NEEDS TWO SCHOOLS.
Mainstream and SEND.
Not one instead of the other.
Both.
And if the opportunity comes to revive education on the right sites and for the right reasons, then I believe Walsall should take that opportunity.
But receiving this message today really hit me.
I want to share it with you because I think you deserve to know that, somewhere along this long road, something is getting through.
Dear Phil Norwood,
On behalf of the parents of those in need, we wanted to write to say a heartfelt thank you.
Thank you for speaking up for us when so many others don’t. We feel like you are speaking up for us, and we appreciate what you are doing. We back you all the way.
Thank you for your commitment to fighting for education, and for understanding that families shouldn’t have to choose.
I write this as a mother whose child has to catch two buses just to get to school. You understand the reality of what that costs us — not just in money, but in worry and time.
You are fighting for our children, and we thank you for it.
Although we would love to see you and thank you in person, myself and others understand you keeping the focus on what you are fighting for. That means a lot. It shows where your heart is.
I must be honest, me and another parent never knew about the Apollo school, and we agree your commitment to Sneyd is felt by those who want their school back.
We feel it.
We know you are fighting for our community to have its school back.
You are trying to bring communities together, and people are listening to you.
Keep going. Don’t stop.
With sincere thanks and full support,
From the parents of those in need,
and from a mother whose child catches two buses to get to school.
I won’t lie. Reading that made this long running commitment feel even more real.
But the truth is, I thank you!
I thank every single person who backs me, supports me, shares my posts, sends me messages and, most importantly, trusts me to keep asking the questions.
Because this is not about me.
It is about you.
“WALSALL IS ONE.”
And we need to start acting like one.
I honestly wasn’t prepared for that message today.
But I think it is only right that I share it with you.
Because maybe, just maybe, it shows that I’m doing something right.
It has been a long and patient road since August 2024.
There have been plenty of doubts.
Plenty of criticism.
And yes, plenty of people who thought I was “bonkers.” Because of my approach. But I gave you all my WORD.
And I stand by it.
I will keep going until the end.
Win, lose or draw. I’m in it until the end. That’s for sure.
And thank you.
I genuinely mean that.
You made a man cry today.
And men do cry.
So don’t ever be embarrassed about it.
Sometimes emotion simply shows how much something means.
Thank you, Walsall.
Thank you, Bloxwich.
And thank you to the wider towns and communities who continue to listen.
Keep speaking.
Keep sharing.
And I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.
THE SO-CALLED “BONKERS” WAY.
Phil Norwood
Campaigner for Sneyd School
2024–Present