SMALL business ventures can struggle financially and many close.

Economies of scale often put paid to long term economic viability. But the announced closure of Pells CE Primary school in Lewes, which will no doubt be ‘justified’ with reference to ‘economic viability’, is a failure of local democracy.

Despite a council vote to keep the school open, a decision has been made to close it anyway. Any democratic opposition to closure has been ignored. The decision also goes against the reassurances of the previous secretary of state, Nicky Morgan, who claimed that small rural schools would not be under threat due to the Government’s academies programme.

Small schools are expensive, but cost shouldn’t be the prime reason for their existence. If we run schools like an accountant, with a spreadsheet mentality, our education system would be a very poor one indeed. Herding children into packed classrooms, looking for the most cost effective way of pumping them full of facts ignores the purpose of schools and education.

Developing a sense of community in children, letting each child know their value and worth beyond cash terms, beyond test results – developing them as individuals – doesn’t come cheap, but it’s a price worth paying. Larger schools can achieve a similar sense of community, but that’s more appropriate for older children whose world is bigger and whose experience is wider.

The concepts of size and time for young children are restricted. They thrive on a personal touch. I believe their experiences in school should grow as they grow. Being dropped into a large community at a young age makes forming relationships with teachers and other pupils hard and could be damaging. Often, small is beautiful.

  • James D Williams is a lecturer in education at the University of Sussex School of Education and Social Work