A BATTLE has been won to keep Culham Primary School open but now the real hard work begins.

Without a doubt the parents and community have played a blinder to keep their school open.

Most external observers thought it was a case of when, not if, Oxfordshire County Council would pull the plug, given the falling school roll and the lack of a permanent headteacher.

Promises and plans that won the council over have been made but the enthusiasm of the campaign must now be replaced by a determination to stay in this for the long haul.

Yesterday the warning was given that should the school’s future come before the council again, a stay of execution to allow a rescue plan to be drawn up will probably not be given.

Much has been written and said about Prime Minister David Cameron’s ‘big society’ idea but this is the perfect example of a community standing up for itself and making a difference.

Out of everything that will be taught at the school, perhaps this demonstration of people working together for their community could be the most valuable lesson of all for the children.