A lot of hard work and dedication by the staff, the students and the public went into obtaining college status for this school. How can a government minister, who is also MP for Normanton, get it so wrong? Doesn't he consult our local MP and school governors who work very hard for the college?


Has he met the headmaster and his staff or has he just looked at the national report giving general assessments and using the same benchmarks for every school?
This college has confidence and enthusiasm and is on the way to becoming one of the best in the area – support it Mr Balls, don't knock it.
Featherstone Technology College does not have the same privilege as many other colleges, it cannot pick and choose its pupils, the staff work hard to bring all students up to the highest standard possible.


The standard of achievement at the college is acceptable and in many cases higher than the required benchmark. The college is not under-achieving, but is under-funded and I know our local MP Jon Trickett has been working hard to secure much-needed funding.
Is Mr Balls paving the way for privatisation and trust schools? I invite him to come to a meeting in Featherstone and explain why he thinks our college is a loser.


The minister has put the college under more pressure by giving it an ultimatum – improve or close down. I hope the public of Featherstone will pledge its support for the college – its future could be in your hands.


JOHN HOLT
Chairman
Priory Road and Girnhill Lane Tenants' and Residents' Association
Featherstone