The campaign to keep open Parr High School swung back into action last week as pupils reaffirmed their battlecry to fight St Helens Council's decision to close it down. In early July this year, council bosses voted to close the school in August, 2002. Formal proceedings for the closure are now underway and statutory notice, to officially notify the public, will shortly be posted in the local press and around the town. The School Organisation Committee will make a final decision in December. Now with the clock ticking on the school's future and pupils facing the harsh reality of finding a new school, the Parr High Save Our School Committee are calling upon the public for help.0

James Slater, Parr High School's head boy and an ardent Save Our School committee member, said: "We need to get the public behind us and for them to write letters against the closure - but only once the statutory notice has been given.

"We're convinced the school can still stay open even though they've voted to close it and we're adamant that we'll do everything we can to keep it open because it's a fabulous school."

The 15-year-old underlined his commitment to the school, adding: " We're now in our final year at school and we're working hard to get the best results possible and keep up the appearance of the school."

Indeed, the quality of student that Parr High has produced was exemplified when ex-pupil, Matthew Winrow, who was studying at Carmel College this year, recorded a brilliant four grade A's at A-level and scored one of the top five marks in the country for Further Maths.

A council spokesperson said if there are any objections to the proposed closure, the proposal will go to the School Organisation Committee in December. A final decision will be taken in December or early January The Parr High Save Our School Committee would like people to send letters to the following address once the statutory notice has been given. Mr J Skinley, Forward Planning Section, Rivington Centre, St Helens WA10 4ND