St Michaels School to cut Pupil Numbers

Details

Category: 1997

The following Notice appeared in The Essex Chronicle on February 21

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR REDUCTION IN STANDARD NUMBER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with Section 29 of the Education Reform Act 1988 that THE GOVERNING BODY, OF ST. MICHAEL’S C.E.(AIDED) JUNIOR SCHOOL, BARNARD ROAD. GALLEYWOOD, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX, CM2 8RR being the Admissions Authority for the School, propose to apply to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for an order reducing the standard number of the school from the current 85 to a new standard number of 70, with effect from 1 September, 1997. Section 26 (S) of the 1988 Act provides that any 10 or more local government electors for the area, or the Governors of any school affected by these proposals, or any local education authority concerned, may within a period of 2 months after the first date of publication of these proposals submit an objection to the proposals by a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1PP 3BT

David W Cook Chairman of Governors

NOTES

1. The Education Reform Act 1988 required that from 1 August 1 1992, all County and Voluntary Primary Schools must be prepared to admit pupils up to at least their standard number, calculated as set out in the Department of Education and Science Circular 6/91, or to any higher limit which may have been fixed for the school. Admission authorities no longer have the right to set admission limit lower than the standard number.

2. The existing accommodation of the school listed above when assessed in accordance with the methods recommended by the Department of Education and Employment is insufficient to allow this standard number to be admitted consistently each year.

3. The proposed standard number represents the maximum number of pupils which could be consistently admitted each year to the school having regard to the method of assessment referred to in 2 above.

4. The forecast Year Three admission for 1997/98 is 56.

5. A copy of the calculations on which the proposals are based is available for inspection at St Michael's C.E. (Aided) Junior School, Barnard Road, Galleywood, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8RR.

20 February 1997

Teenager Not Guilty of Manslaughter

Details

Category: 1997

After a four day trial, the jury found Ben Rees, 19, not guilty of the manslaughter of Paul Stoneham who died after a fight at Chelmsford station taxi rank last year. In reply to his counsel's question 'Did you intend to cause him any serious injury?' Rees, who admitted delivering a single punch, replied 'No, I did not.' The not guilty verdict caused an uproar in the court and Mr Rees, with his and his family and friends, was escorted from the building. The family of Paul Stoneham expressed their horror at the verdict.

Village Watch seeks a new Committee

Details

Category: 1997

At the Annual General Meeting, held in November, Galleywood Village Watch heard chairman, Mrs Janette Potter, recount the poor attendance at the three meetings that had been organised during the year. An afternoon meeting planned for mothers with young children had to be cancelled when no one turned up. A demonstration by the Sandon Police Dog Section was poorly attended and only twenty people came along to meet the new Crime Prevention Officer when he spoke about problems particularly connected with Galleywood. Mrs Potter was concerned that our speakers should find themselves embarrassed by such poor support.

As there had been no nominations for the committee, some discussion followed regarding the future of the organisation. Mrs Betty Rowland and Mr Edgar Mooney agreed to be responsible for holding the membership records and funds amounting to approximately £17 until such time as a new committee might be formed. Mr Dunham offered to attend meetings with the police at Moulsham Lodge and Mrs Gamlin proposed a vote of thanks for the retiring committee.

PC Kevin Bailey said that the police were keen for the Neighbourhood Watch to continue in Galleywood and he would liaise with Mr Ireland with a view to holding a public meeting. After the meeting closed, all those present were invited to stay for mince pies and a glass of sherry, provided by Mrs Potter.

Walters Farm Sale raises question about Listing

Details

Category: 1997

A petition, raised by Mrs S Barnetson, has received over 1000 signatures from local residents concerned about the Listing status of one of the few remaining 18th century buildings in the village. Now surrounded by twentieth century housing in Watchouse Road, Walters Farm and its outbuildings are popularly regarded as a valuable link with the past. Many see the recent Sale as the forerunner to modern development and even demolition of this old homestead. Hopes that the property might have the protection of Listed Status have been quashed by the statement from The Department of National Heritage:

'…..The buildings have been assessed by English Heritage, ….Walters Farmhouse appears to be a mid-nineteenth century farmhouse, which is not of sufficient special architectural interest to qualify for listing.' They have commented that although the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 shows buildings on this site, this 1777 farmhouse must either have been demolished or radically altered in the mid-nineteenth century. …..although the L-shaped brick building is either late eighteenth century or early nineteenth century in origin, a number of window openings have been inserted and as a result these buildings are considerably altered in appearance. They have concluded that these buildings do not possess sufficient historical or architectural interest to merit listing.

Having carefully considered all the available evidence, the Secretary of State has decided to accept English Heritage's advice and will not therefore be adding these buildings to the statutory list.