Parents lose battle to save school

PARENTS, teachers and school governors have lost the battle to save Warrington’s Longbarn Primary School.
Members of the borough council’s executive board have voted to close the school in 12 months’ time.
Scores of parents, pupils, teachers and staff attended the board meeting to show their support for the school.
But a majority of executive members voted for a recommendation that the school – which has been hit by dwindling numbers of pupils – be closed as part of a review of primary education across the borough.
The review also includes the relocation of Sycamore Lane Primary, Great Sankey to a new primary school in Chapelford – effectively closing one school and opening another – and reducing the size of a number of other primary schools.
These are Woolston Primary, Bruche Primary, Meadowside Primary, Bewsey Lodge Primary, St Margaret’s Primary, Birchwood CE Primary, Broomfields Junior and The Cobbs Infants.
But the closure of Longbarn Primary was the most controversial part of the review.
More than 1,100 objections were received, in addition to a protest petition.
The council’s decision is based on the small number of pupils – there will only be 89 in September – the fact that only one in three Longbarn parents chose to send their children to the school and the Government’s requirement that the council reduce the number of surplus places in schools.