Beardwood supporters call on MP

2:33pm Saturday 1st December 2007

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PARENTS fighting to keep a school open are appealing to Blackburn MP Jack Straw to help their campaign.

Beardwood Family Action was set up by parents objecting to Blackburn with Darwen Council's plans to close Beardwood School as part of its £150million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

Announced in September, the plans are currently awaiting approval from the Partnership for Schools, the Government's body set up to deliver BSF.

Beardwood Action Group yesterday spoke to Justice Minister Mr Straw, having already appealed to other Government figures to help save a "thriving" school.

Under the Government-funded project, the Preston New Road school would close by 2012, and its 1,000-plus students moved to others in the borough including three new "superschools" planned for Witton Park, Pleckgate and a new East Blackburn Community School.

Education bosses say that Beardwood has been earmarked for closure due to predicted falling pupil numbers in west Blackburn.

But campaigning parents say that is not strong enough grounds, because the majority of Beardwood pupils actually travel from other areas where the population is growing.

Spokesman David Smith said: "It's essentially true that the west of Blackburn population is static, but lots of pupils come from out of the area, such as in Audley, Little Harwood, and Wensley Fold, which are all growing.

"The crux of the matter is that the council wants to open a school in the east. They talk about wanting to move schools to the 'centre of the community', but these days it's hard to say what or where that is.

"The Government talks about increased choice, but by closing Beardwood and opening bigger community schools, it's another nail in the coffin for choice."

The action group has contacted various Govern-ment bodies detailing their objections, including the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Schools Commissioner Sir Bruce Liddington, and Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners Lord Adonis.

Mr Smith, whose four children are former and current Beardwood pupils, said: "We've also said to all of them that the council's consultation process was wrong because many people still don't understand why the school has to close.

"These plans will potentially see more than 1,000 young people suffering, for marginal gain."

• Contact Mr Smith by e-mail at DavidSmith_kids1@ hotmail.com, to become involved in the action group.