SAVE THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL BOAT CLUB

As president of Thames Regional Rowing Council it is with great sadness that I read of the possible closure of the Club - the Governors need to strongly consider their position on this one. If the parents have the funding available they should be allowed to continue - schools forget when making this kind of decision that they row for free on the River Thames which runs through the heart of our capital - its sets young people up for a sport for life. With so many State schools now starting the sport and operating out of Fulham Reach it is clearly a retrograde step to see such an established school and club being made to close. Reconsider please before it is too late and we lose these young people from our sport forever.

I am a family friend of boys who currently row at the Oratory. It is clear how important this has been in their formation. It is difficult to believe that with th funds already available by the parents and friends that the school is still considering closing this important educational and developmental aspect of growing children. I would join all others on this petition in urging the school to reconsider.

This decision should be reversed-d allow the supporters group to fund the programme for next year - such positive aspect of school life and something that sets the Oratory apart from other schools in London.

I learned to row at Hazlehead Academy, a state school in Aberdeen. This sport provided me with so many life experiences and friends. Please do not deny these children the opportunity to take part in this unique team sport

Rowing

a key case of whether the sport is open given being surrounded by private school clubs and competitive with them

I am disappointed by what appears to be a cynical decision by the governors, based purely on the monetary cost of the rowing programme and not taking into account the enormous value of this sport to all who participate in it as well as to the school in general. My son coxed the 1st 8 until he left school last year and gained immeasurable benefits and satisfaction from being part of such an impressive and well run squad. I hope the parent governors are doing the job they were elected to do and supporting this significant part of the school community.

I enjoyed a bit of rowing at my time at the school, and hope others be given the same opportunity.

43 years ago I rowed for my state school at Henley, one of the major events of my youth. Rowing should not be a preserve of the privileged few and should be cherished by state schools

Sport is an important part of school life. I did rowing at university and i can appreciate the benefits it brings.

The name of the school is enhanced by the success of the rowing club and the 14 year old's have a great team with tremendous potential.

Any sport is amazing, but this is extra amazing because of the team building, fitness and love of water

My brother did rowing at oratory

At a time when the Government and health organisations are trying to encourage more children to take part in sport due to the increasing levels of obesity, why is this being allowed to happen? The opportunity for such a large number of children at a state school to try, and often to succeed at, this sport is something the Governors should be marketing rather than removing. Enough money has now been raised to keep the boat club going for at least a year, with fundraising continuing. By closing the boat club the school will have to find the money and staff to put in place alternative provision for the students!

Supporting boat club.

Why stop something that has become a success

It's sets a bad precedent if this programme is to close.

It's great for the LOS boys

Don't make this mistake! Rowing make the man !!

Please please reconsider - we were beginning to develop skills and reputation and its such a great and healthy alternative to Rugby for the boys.