Last updated 19:36, Thursday, 03 April 2008

IMPROVEMENT. Transformation. Renewal. Persuasive language can be a way of selling something rather less palatable than the sales pitch suggests.

While the £150 million coming to Cumbria’s primary schools over the next 10 years must be welcomed, many parents of children at small rural schools will be concerned that, in their case, transformation may mean closure.

In larger schools, meanwhile, parents are entitled to ask that their children are given the same attention as those in primaries with fewer pupils.

There are many issues and while every school, parent and child understandably has their own agenda, the decisions about to be taken will affect not only Cumbria’s near-40,000 primary pupils but also those who will go through the system in years to come.

The county council has until the middle of June to submit a strategy to the Government stating how it sees the future of primary education.

Parents are invited to offer their opinions and, while they might have hoped for more than two months in which to do so, this is a welcome opportunity to ensure a range of voices is heard.

Cumbria has some excellent primary schools. How can these standards be maintained while less successful schools are improved? How can surplus places be removed without closing schools?

More all-age schools and small schools working more closely together are two of the suggestions proposed so far. Cumbrians will have many more. £150 million is a substantial sum but there will never be enough money to satisfy every headteacher, parent and pupil.

We trust that councillors will listen to the many opinions sure to come their way in the coming weeks. We wish them well in the difficult balancing act of listening while keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

There are important decisions ahead. The future of primary education is also the future of our society.