Parents’ anger as Thornton Primary School faces closure

Jan 29 2009 by Lyndsay Young, Crosby Herald

PARENTS are “disgusted” that Thornton Primary School is facing closure at the request of its governors.

Governors have asked Sefton Council to conduct a “managed closure” of the premises.

The financial situation of the Edge Lane school due to its dwindling intake of pupils has caused the move, which is expected to take place in August 2010.

Children were sent home with letters on Friday about the proposed closure and anger flared at a parents’ meeting on Monday.

Some parents are left not knowing whether their children will get a place at another school in Thornton.

Sefton’s Children’s Services will make a final decision on whether to close the site and parents have already had meetings with St William of York School to secure provisional places there.

Claire Turner, who has an eight-year-old daughter at the school, said: “I thought it was disgusting when I heard.

“I don’t want it to close. I want it to stay open.

“My daughter has already got a place at St William of York but she is not going there until this school closes.

“If people are taking their kids out of the school, it will probably close sooner.”

Currently there are around 110 pupils, aged three to 11.

Julie Abram, 34, who has two boys and a daughter there and is a parent helper, said: “I’m heartbroken. I love the school, my children are happy there and I feel for the staff.

“I’m gutted, I never thought it would close.”

Jamie McFarlene, 34, has two sons and a daughter there - including one son who moved to the school when Dale Acre Drive closed.

He said: “It was just a shock when we got the letter.

“We don’t want to move. We already had to move our son from Dale Acre and he’s settled.”

Eric Rimmer, 35, whose son goes to the school, said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. I went to the school myself.

“My son has a place at William of York but we have been told it’s first come first served.

“As for my sister, she has been told there are no places for her daughter.”

A Sefton Council spokesman said governors requested managed closure of the school because it is believed to be no longer viable.

Debi Jones, Conservative group spokeswoman for Children’s Services, said: “I will do my utmost to ensure the very best outcome possible for both parents and children.

“No decision has been made yet and we are looking into all possibilities. It is sad news.”

A Sefton Council spokesman said: “The sad decision to start this process has been made in light of the financial position of the school due to falling pupil numbers.

“Staff and parents have been informed of this situation in writing and a consultation with all relevant parties will take place.

“The welfare of the children at Thornton Primary is our main priority and we recognise that this will be a difficult time for all concerned. We will work with families, the school and governors to deal with this situation as sensitively as possible.”