by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk
Head teachers of three schools set to be axed by Medway Council have insisted they will fight the plan.
The council announced the possible closures under plans to transform primary education in the Towns with £11 million government funding.
It planned to inform all schools of its proposals by Wednesday but its plans were unveiled two days early after confidential papers were leaked.
The plans will go to consultation but if the proposals get the go ahead the closures will go happen in 2010.

There was a sense of deja vu at Ridge Meadow in Churchill Avenue, Chatham, which began a similar fight in July 2005 when it was threatened with closure or merger. On that occasion, a campaign by parents, staff and pupils was successful.
Head Carol Scott said: “From a management point of view I understand they have to look at their provision of education but from the community point of view they need to understand that one size does not fit all.”
Nicole Caulfield, of St Peter’s, Holcombe Road, Rochester, said: “We don’t feel they have a valid reason to close our school. We’ve had two good Ofsteds and we have a rising roll.
“We will be fighting. A campaign group has already been formed. We will attend the Cabinet meeting on May 12 and we will have T-shirt, poster and leaflet campaigns as well as a petition.”
Diana Keating, head of St John’s, in New Street, Chatham, said: “I think it will be a very sad day if the school closes. We are one of the smallest schools in Medway – we have 69 pupils on roll, but that’s the very reason why parents send their children here.”
Rose Collinson, director of children and adults for the council, said: “Nationally and in Medway the birth rate has been falling and if you’ve got fewer children it means that funding goes down. Small schools are very nice initially but if you have too few children it has an impact on standards and schools cannot strive and thrive well.”