Peterborough Diocese Educational Trust (PDET) have just informed us that they want to close our village school. This has just been communicated a number of weeks before the end of term. Their proposal is to bus our little ones to the other side of Stamford! The educational welfare of our children is more important than being 'financially viable'. We cannot be forced in to a new school selection just because PDET have chosen to announce this so late.

It has been about 5 years now since course fees rose to £9000 and so Students who are leaving university now with degrees have debts of around £40,000 ( £50,000 plus if they've done a 4-year course such as an Integrated Masters degree which are especially common in science) Students will barely be paying off the interest when they work as this will be £200 to £300 per month. Presumably their debt will grow further if they are unable to pay back even the interest because they are in low-paid jobs.

Having unrestricted access to library services will enable us to complete our dissertations on time.

Wensum Lodge was once well-known as a thriving Norfolk County Council-run arts hub for the Eastern region. It is still the only place in the region, and certainly in Norwich, to offer accredited qualifications in many of the creative courses run there. These are all due to be cut in September 2017, with only 3 months notice. The recent numerous managerial staff changes and funding squeezes have caused problems at the Lodge, which might be ameliorated were they able to attract more paying students - something which they can do if their online presence and communications strategy improved, and if they continued along the accreditation route. Current students enrolled on courses at Wensum Lodge are often making career changes, or are developing skills in the creative industries which they then plan to use to undertake freelance work - all of which add to the creative life of the city. The value of hosting accredited courses is significant: they are instrumental in training individuals that have allowed our region to develop a strong reputation for the creative arts, and they facilitate the development of careers in those areas. This makes a positive impact on multiple levels: for the creative economy of the area - financial and reputational, not to mention the mental health of students taking these courses. Cutting courses that are poorly advertised and administered makes very little sense when the courses themselves are highly subscribed. On a practical level, some classes could be relocated to more appropriate providers, but the arts courses that are offered cannot. For example, the nearest places offering accredited Ceramics courses were in London, and then almost exclusively in the northwest of the UK. What Wensum Lodge should be doing is investing in publicity and learning support networks (computing, and online presence, amongst other things) in order to encourage more paying students rather than cutting classes that are popular and a valid part of the Eastern region's creative artistic ecosystem.

This is an international problem, which met with an international solution - and Britain must join the international condemnation of America's terrible, selfish decision. We do not want to live in a world dominated by bullies. We do not want to live in a Britain too scared to do anything America doesn't want. We demand leadership that makes us proud to be British. If Theresa May cannot condemn America's decision to condemn our planet, will she ever stand up for anything? British people stand up for others, and we stand up for what we believe in. We do not want a Prime Minister who licks the boots of the American president. Theresa May must show strong leadership and sign the international letter condemning Donald Trump and his abandonment of the Paris agreement.

We, the undersigned, are a collective of community members in London who comply with Jewish law and are actively involved in observant, communal Jewish life. This statement expresses our utmost support for the leader of the S&P Sephardi Community, Rabbi Joseph Dweck, both as a senior minister and educator. Contrary to accusations made, we do not feel that our honour has been slighted or that we have been insulted in any way. We are also of the opinion that Rabbi Dweck has been bold in addressing an issue which is often neglected, and that there are rare if any educational forums on this subject matter. Similarly, we have been inspired by his lectures on topics relating to Jewish law for both Sephardim and Ashkenazim. While we would welcome a communal debate about the halakhic parameters of the lecture/shiur in question and educational endeavours to debate the content, we are of the strong opinion that any calls to involve alternative Batei Din and Rabbinic panels in this matter, both local and those in America, Israel or other, or calls to strip him of his title, be ignored and this matter remain local. We also call upon all parties to retain dignity and an appropriate level of discourse. At no time should any further insults be made, lest this result in more desecration of God’s name and negative view of observant Jews both internal and external to the community. We are stronger as a community if we are able to facilitate civil debate l’shem Shamayim.

The students of RWBA have already stated there feelings about the new colour and are disgusted by it

We, the undersigned, urge the management at St Mary’s University not to close its Philosophy Programme, and to continue to offer students the opportunity to take a BA degree in Philosophy. St Mary’s offers single-honours degrees in Philosophy, as well as some joint-honours degrees with other subjects. It is known locally for its annual series of public lectures sponsored by the Royal Institute of Philosophy, which are well-attended by members of the community. Students and graduates value the discussion and innovative, dialogue-led teaching, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary engagement. These methods promote independence of thought and encourage intellectual curiosity both within and outside the academy. St Mary’s University has a long-standing tradition of inclusivity, and cites core values such as inclusiveness, generosity of spirit, respect and excellence. The diversity and creativity exemplified in teaching and research by the Philosophy team epitomise these values. Diversity is also reflected in the composition of the team itself (for instance, surpassing the 2011 UK average of just 24% of permanent posts held by women in philosophy). [1] By keeping the programme open, the institution have the opportunity to make a statement of intent: St Mary’s upholds the values of inquiry, scholarship and independence of thought; it upholds the value of the arts and humanities for everyone, especially in difficult times; and its support will not waver. We encourage St Mary’s to take this opportunity. [1] Beebee, H. and Saul, J., 2011. Women in Philosophy in the UK: A Report by the British Philosophical Association and the Society for Women in Philosophy UK. Joint BPA/SWIP Committee for Women in Philosophy. http://bpa.ac.uk/uploads/2011/02/BPA_Report_Women_In_Philosophy.pdf

Since the announcement I have spoken with many concerned parents, carers and others about the proposals. Culture NL engaged in similar exercise last year when they closed many local libraries and staff were redeployed across remaining services thus having an impact on vital public services. Scottish education has made the headlines recently specifically around the Government's aims to improve the education sector and to reduce the attainment gap. It is vital that as our local Government the council work in tandem with these plans to enhance the education experience for those in North Lanarkshire. The aim should be to create more opportunities and support for young people, whom they are meant to serve, in order to allow them to become fully confident, competent and responsible citizens. Education is a cornerstone of any successful society to which teaching assistants play a vital role. Not only do they support teachers and reduce their workloads (something which is currently being reviewed by the Scottish Government) but they also provide additional support for those students who desperately need it. We should go as far as to argue we need more of them, not less! The Conservative party have rightly come under criticism for their proposal to remove the free school lunch policy in England and Wales. NLC’s proposal to close breakfast clubs deserves to be treated in the same regard. We understand there are issues with the budget and finding where to make cuts is challenging, but please do not take from the children and families who depend on these services. We want NLC to support an urgent review of these decisions and do everything they can to reverse them.

We need to start caring for children in the country, given them a free school meal under the age of 11 and a good education is paramount. It will ensure they receive a nutritional meal, with the ever increasing obesity and diabetes in young people, lets act now. Taking away free school meal will force packed lunches and maybe poor diets.

We need to ensure our children are educated about this difficult and sensitive subject matter. This is not a topic that would normally be discussed at home. This needs to be changed and stamped out of our society. The only way is to educate our children. Make them aware that this is not acceptable behaviour and what pitfalls to look out for. To advise them of the options that are available to them.

It is important that Walden School is not taken over by developers for more housing or converted into flats. Saffron Walden is in dire need of additional state school facilities. The primary schools and Saffron High are already full and cannot meet the needs of this growing town. The council has continually been asked to consider how it will meet the schooling needs of all the families moving into the area, now an opportunity has arisen, and sad as it is to see Walden School close, the council has a responsibility to ensure that the towns schooling needs are met. It is the perfect solution to an ongoing problem. The Department for Education needs to act quickly. There is an opportunity here for the school to be taken over and run as a state school, perhaps even preventing job losses. For Walden School to close after so many years in the town is a huge shock to everyone. That the site not continue as a school would be a far greater tragedy.