Sarah Barker is a former pupil at Dunswell Primary School, which is now under threat from closure.
The heart of a village by Sarah Barker
After the predicted closure of Dunswell Primary School, many parents and pupils worry for the future of their community.
Like every village, its heart lies within the primary school, a place where families meet; children make friends and gain confidence ready for the future and most importantly, a place that starts a child's path into education.
When I first started Dunswell Primary School in 1999,I was welcomed by both staff and pupils, a friendly environment, which was present throughout my time there.
It is an utter travesty to even consider closing the school, not only for the current and future pupils of the school, but also the history that the school holds.
Like many who have been to the school, my parents both attended, leaving myself and my younger brother to follow in their footsteps.
In 1928, at the age of five, my Grandfather, who was resident of Dunswell, began to attend the primary school, highlighting generations of my family who have been to the school, and I am sure this has been the case for many families in the village.
It would be such a shame to break generations of family traditions.
This 82 pupil school has helped me so much in the past, gain confidence, gain friendships and gain the knowledge to get me where I am today.
One of my fondest memories at the school was a residential trip we took to Dolby Forrest, where we enjoyed fun activities whilst also learning key life skills, including learning to work together as a team and how to do individual tasks efficiently, both skills that are crucial within everyday life.
I know for a fact these key skills are still taught at the school today, as they always have been.
From volunteering at the local Youth Centre, I have been able to see many of the young pupils grow up and blossom into amazing young people – all thanks to the school – it is clear that Dunswell has stuck to the values it has always had of educating young people at one of the most vital stages of their life.
Why would anyone want to close a school that is over-subscribed and loved by many people?
I for one would be heart-broken to see the closure of such a wonderful school.
For myself and previous pupils, Dunswell Primary School holds a mass of great memories that will last with us forever and I simply hope that the Council are able to realise the destruction of the community, which will happen if the school closes… before it is too late.
