NASS priorities for 2011 are to continue to argue for a more sophisticated analysis of the economics of small schools that is used in closure proposals. Small schools are said to be expensive. This is just not the case when examined across a range of measures. Long-term they deliver returns to taxpayers.

We shall also continue our campaign for small schools in towns and cities. The evidence for the small school model is so strong and virtually irrefutable, not least its benefits for disadvantaged children and families, that we want to see our urban children benefit in the same way, because disadvantage is concentrated in urban areas.