VIEWPOINT FOR 17 DECEMBER 2009 
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

I have a meeting with the Director of Children’s Services at the County Council on 22 January and I am trying to visit most of our primary schools before then to hear of their successes and problems as they implement the Wyre Forest review which changed our education system from three tiers to two.

I have visited St Bartholomew’s, Wilden, Arley, Birchen Coppice, Sutton Park, St John’s, Comberton, Lickhill, Chaddesley Corbett and Stourport Primary Schools. A visit to Heronswood is to be re-scheduled and I hope to fit in some of the others in January. 
Successes include improving discipline and at Sutton Park achieving a splendid new school building which will just have been handed over. 
Examples of problems are insufficient space indoors, especially in school halls designed for previously smaller schools, and outdoor playgrounds that are far too small when wet weather precludes the use of muddy playing fields. 

The change from three to two tiers, as predicted, has been arduous for many, particularly ex middle school staff some of whom have found the shift upwards or downwards in the ages of their pupils very difficult. Several have been lost to the area and even to the profession.
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I have been to several Carol Services already and I enjoy these especially when schools are involved as at Bewdley (the Bewdley School Choir) last Saturday and St Mary’s (Wilden and Offmore Primary Schools ) last Sunday. The obvious enjoyment and gusto with which the young people sing their hearts out is delightful and proves that the young can acquire the joy of singing if given the right opportunities. 
Last Saturday evening the Kidderminster Male Choir held its Christmas Concert in a packed Town Hall but owing to double booking I could only get there for the second half and so I missed not only my favourite “While shepherds watched their flocks” sung to the tune of “On Ilkley Moor” but also the presentation of an enormous cheque to Help the Heroes as the Choir has raised over £40,000 for this truly deserving cause largely from the sales of their superb CD.
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On Monday I attended my first public meeting of the West Midlands Regional Select Committee. 
This was at the offices of Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and probed this organisation in its use of resources and its effectiveness in helping local regeneration projects. 
The obvious area where we have been helped by AWM is in the rejuvenation of the Stourport Dock Basins which are now even more of a tourist attraction and just await improved access from Bridge Street to achieve their potential. We asked about use of the European Regional Development Fund and expect a more detailed written answer on where this money has been spent and if AWM is on target to use all of the funding available from this source. We heard about the disappointing last minute withdrawal of a major Swedish electronics firm from a large brownfield site near Coventry , the progress of developing New Street Station and the attempts to help the automotive industry through the recession.
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This will be my last viewpoint until the New Year so I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and I hope the elderly and the lonely will have company and enjoyment too.

RT

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