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Parent power could save school
PARENT power is at the centre of a fight to save a beloved village school from the axe.
Since the announcement was made that Boldon C of E Primary was one of the schools facing closure as part of a plan to slash surplus places in South Tyneside – mums and dads have been drawing up their battle plans.
Several crunch meetings have now been organised, posters printed, a petition sent out to the Boldon Colliery community, even a website launched, all in a bid to protect the future of the "little school with a big heart".
Clare Swales, headteacher at the school in Don Gardens, said: "I'm very proud of the way our parents have organised the campaign and the support they've given the school."
Boldon C of E Primary is one of the 15 schools affected by the Transforming our Primary Schools (Tops).
Most of the schools are amalgamating to tackle surplus places, but two schools, including Boldon, are set to close.
Last week, South Tyneside Council's cabinet agreed a consultation period to help decide the schools' fates.
But the news angered parents of pupils at the school, forcing them to take action.
Mum Sheila Witt, 42, of Reginald Street, Boldon Colliery, who has three children at the school, said: "Tops was supposed to be for transforming our primary schools.
"But it can just leave us alone because it's trashing our school."
The primary, which is one of the few Christian-led schools in the area, could face possible closure as early as next year.
Debbie Ainscow, 38, of Tyne View, Hebburn, is an ex-pupil and mother to Year 3 pupil Adam, seven.
She said: "I now travel in from Hebburn every day because I want Adam to continue his education in a church-led school, despite us moving away from West Boldon.
"The friendliness of everyone in the school, from the teachers to the children, makes it such a happy place to be.
"And if they did close it down, many of the parents would struggle to get their kids to the only other Church of England school in Cleadon."
Ofsted inspectors judged the school to be satisfactory in December and SATs results were above average last summer.
A public consultation begins on Monday, October 1, and meetings have been arranged for each school affected by the proposals.
On Monday, October 29, there are two meetings at Boldon C of E Primary.
The first at 4pm for staff and governors followed by a meeting at 6pm for parents, residents and other interested parties.
Comments can be made verbally at the meetings, in writing or via e-mail.
Anyone who cannot attend can also contact their local ward councillors Linda Waggott, Alison Strike and Joanne Bell.
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
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