A new government directive could see the closure of seventy seven schools across Essex according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats. The recent Government directive sent to local authorities, made clear that councils would only get extra money for new primary schools if they had decisive plans to ensure that no school has more than a quarter surplus places.

Obeying these instructions would threaten many schools in Essex, and force the removal of places in primary schools. This is in spite of government projections that primary school roles will start to grow again from 2009.

Commenting, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats leader at Essex County Council said: “These figures show that many schools are at risk of closure - often smaller schools in rural areas. Government education and planning policies are threatening to decimate rural schools, in the same way that the post office network is being torn apart.

“Government policy is confused, contradictory and hypocritical. While ministers offer public reassurance about school closures, they are privately issuing instructions to local authorities to close schools and reduce places - backed by the threat of withholding money for new buildings.

“Local Authorities are being put in an impossible position - being instructed to close schools and reduce places, while the Government proclaims its opposition to rural school closures. This muddle will lead either to policy paralysis or to the wiping out of many schools - particularly in rural areas.

“The Government has no business dictating to local authorities how they manage their schools - these must be local decisions, taken with local knowledge, and in the best interests of children’s education.

“The Government should also help local schools by giving councils more freedom to set their own local housing priorities. If more housing was allowed in rural areas, where this is needed, instead of only being allocated to large cities and towns, then there would be new families coming in to support village schools for the future.”

You can see if your local school is at risk by looking at the Essex County Council School Organisation Plan, which is available by clicking here. Compare the the 2007 capacity against the 2007 surplus or deficit of places, and the 2012 forecast capacity against the 2012 forecast surplus or deficit of places. If this shows a surplus of places of more than 25% of capacity in either 2007 or 2012, your local school is eligible to be affected by the Government directive, and therefore potentially at risk.