THE fight goes on... That was the battlecry from members of the Parr High Save Our School committee following last week's decision by St Helens Council's Executive Committee to close the school with effect from August, 2002.

The decision follows a fierce battle fought by campaigners alongside an extensive consultation procedure with staff, parents and governors and was met with protests from an angry audience.

And determined campaigners have stressed that they will still not give up the fight and will contest the decision until the outcome is final.

The main reasons given by the council for the closure of the school were falling pupil numbers and a rise in running costs.

A formal procedure for the closure will now begin and statutory notices, to officially notify the public, will be posted in the local press and around the borough. The School Organisation Committee will make a final decision in December.

In a statement to the Star, St Helens Council defended the closure decision. The statement said: "Parr High already has the highest percentage (22 per cent) of surplus places of any secondary school in the borough and this is due to rise in September to more than 30 per cent. Evidence suggests that small schools, such as Parr High with only 414 students, are more expensive to run and less likely to meet with success".

Susan Richardson, the borough's Director of Community Education and Leisure Services, commented: "The recommendation to close Parr High is based on an exhaustive assessment of the issues and took into account the consultation findings. Decisions to reorganise school places are always difficult to make. It is important that changes are effected smoothly and that pupils, parents and staff are properly advised and supported during the process".

But Save Our School Committee member, James Slater, urged people not to give up their fight and stressed that this is not the end for the school. "We will carry on working hard to save Parr High. I have written to Tony Blair and we will be organising more petitions. We also want people to write letters of objection to the Executive Committee so that they will change their mind".

Letters of objection to the closure can be sent to the S.O.S Committee, Parr Community High, Stocks Avenue, Parr,St Helens; you can e-mail them at saveourschool@aol.com; or fax them on 01744 756693. All correspondence should be marked for the attention of the Executive Committee at St Helens Council.