WE feel overwhelmed taking our eight-year-old daughter, Ashleigh, to school these days. Ashleigh has attended Affetside Primary School since she was four and now has to face the trauma of changing schools.

Anyone who reads the letters pages of the Bury Times will know that Bury Council, in its misguided wisdom, thinks that it will solve the "surplus places" quandary by closing our much-loved and revered "small schools" (i.e. Affetside and St. Paul's, Ramsbottom). However, are any councillors bothered about how things are currently going?

The council seems to have forgotten all about this issue since they issued the final closure notices (even that was done "on the sly"). There have been many letters, meetings and discussions regarding the welfare of our children; alas, Bury MBC did not instigate any of it. Parents, left to resolve all the problems relating to their children, have been supportive towards each other and this has been beneficial.

Meanwhile the staff have continued to nurture the children, helping them deal with their fears of going to much bigger schools. This has been done in addition to delivering the national curriculum to the children to the high standards set by themselves.

And what about these staff members and school governors? It appears that they have had little or no support in regard to either their professional or personal concerns. Over a traumatic 15 months they have faced similar problems to the children. Uncertainty, as SASAG fought bravely and tirelessly to save the school from closure; disappointment, in learning that nothing more could be done; and now they are faced with redundancy and possible unemployment, and have had the notices served on them reluctantly by governors who are colleagues and friends!

Even under such extreme pressure the staff have shown unquestionable professionalism. They deserve better than to have no support from their employers. They are to be commended.

They have our utmost respect and we would like to thank them wholeheartedly for the care, nurturing and high standard of education they have lovingly given to Ashleigh and all the children over the years. I only hope that other parents feel the same way towards Mrs Porter and her dedicated team of professionals.

These people have given their all to this rural village school, its children and the community and they will be sadly missed.

We hope they receive the recognition they deserve and wish them success in reaching their future goals. God bless them all.

MICHELLE & CRAIG FELTON,

Harvey Street, Bury.