Campaingners in Liverpool have lost a High Court battle to block the closure of Croxteth Community Comprehensive School.
A legal bid to quash the decision of Liverpool City Council to close the school has been rejected by Mr Justice Silber.
The reasons for the decision will be set out in the judicial review which will be formally handed down by the judge in the High Court on Wednesday 22nd July.
Liverpool City Council’s executive member for education, Councillor Keith Turner, said: “Deciding to close a school is always extremely difficult and is not something that the council takes lightly.
“We spent a lot of time looking at all the options, and I am pleased that the Judge has concluded that there was no basis on which to quash the decision.
“Our education department carried out its largest ever consultation exercise and the vast majority of parents of local primary school pupils told us they do not plan to send their children there.
“We understand the passion and commitment of the pupils, staff and parents, but Croxteth is simply not attracting anywhere near the number of pupils to make it viable. One in every three desks are empty, and numbers are predicted to decline further which means they won’t be able to deliver a full curriculum and balance their books.
“We will handle the closure as sensitively as possible, and give pupils and families all the support they need in transferring to other schools. We have pledged a free bus service for those existing pupils who choose to go to Fazakerley High School and their siblings to make sure families are not left out of pocket.
“This decision means we can press ahead with our plans to invest an additional £25 million in neighbouring De La Salle and St John Bosco secondary schools through Building Schools for the Future.
“Nearby Fazakerley High was rebuilt only a few years ago and has been named one of the most improved schools in the north west, so it is clear to me that our plans will help create a bright future for many thousands of young people who live in the area.
“The council is also working with other schools to provide opportunities for the staff at Croxteth and we will continue to assist families in the area to support their community and improve educational attainment.”
The school is scheduled to close in August 2010.
Celia Curran, Italy around 2 years, 10 months ago