Subject: New School Discussion - 14th February 2011

In April 2007 the Knebworth Parish Plan was issued to us all, including a thorough survey of the village's response to many questions. Among these was the possibility of a secondary school. 10% were in favour, 27% against, with 63% offering no opinion.

In September 2009 a meeting was held to consider the WNAS plan to build a school here on green belt land. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the report in the Comet was headlined "Villagers oppose school proposal", and the first paragraph read "Residents have come out in force to voice their opposition to plans to build a secondary school in their village."

Further meetings both here and in Woolmer Green continue to show strong opposition. Can I please ask WNAS the admittedly well-worn question "What part of the word 'No' do you not understand?".

I am also concerned, at a time when Government finances are so stretched, that their proposal would take many millions to fund, money which could be more effectively and fairly spent on other free schools making sensible use of existing premises after renovation, enhancement or extension.

Geoff Booth

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Subject: New School - Campaign group meeting - 8th February 2011

Woolmer Green residents have been advised by their Parish Council that none of the WNAS campaign group will now be attending the planned meeting at Woolmer Green Village Hall on 9th February at 7.30pm. This is a great shame since residents of Woolmer Green were expecting a proper presentation from both sides of the argument. Gives serious cause for concern over the nature of the campaign group and its approach.

Howard Bryant

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Subject: What happens to your choice of schools? - 5th February 2011

I have lived in Knebworth for many years, sending both my children to the village primary school, then on to secondary schools in Stevenage, when I was given a choice of schools. Surely, if there is a new Knebworth Secondary School, there will no longer be a choice of where your children go for their secondary education so, good school or bad school, all children from the Knebworth catchment area, will have to attend it.

Michael

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Subject: The community can only benefit from a new school - 5th February 2011

Because I care about the community and also have a school age child (not at the local school) I have looked into this proposal in some depth and with a slightly cynical approach. If I took as gospel the "supposed" facts about the proposal I would not be in favour of the project. However, having actually taken the time to investigate and therby be in a position to make an informed decision should I ever be asked, my view has changed somewhat.

There are SO many untruths being written about the school proposal I worry that people are being completely misled with regards to the size, location, teaching standards and the true NEED for this school. Not only could the village children benefit from this plan but the wider community will to.

All I urge people to do is to read the facts on www.weneedaschool.org versus the fiction/innacurate, statements being quoted by the (very noisy) minority opposed to the proposal. I am not part of the campaign but have been truly shocked by the underhand tactics of a few.

There may indeed be some minor negatives or flaws in the plan but overall the benefit to the community will far outweigh these,n my opinion. I "grilled" one of the founding group today and their attitude, passion and knowledge, combined with the desire for inclusivity and benefit to the community was commendable.

"Dirty tricks" and the spreading of incorrect and verging on libellous statements by the "NIMBYs" will not help our community in any way.

Sarah

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