Garston News Views and Discussion

[Kev]

Today, parents and church leaders launched a campaign to save Garston CofE primary, which has stood at the heart of the community since 1716 and is the last remaining school of its kind in the area.


1965

Liverpool council, which provides the funding, says the school in Holman Road is losing pupils and has been in slow decline for years.

But residents are determined not to give in without a fight.

The school's future was first thrown into doubt four years ago when the council said falling numbers meant it would have to close.

The community, including the local church and parents, mounted a campaign, collecting a 5,000-name petition, and eventually won a reprieve.

Today, a second campaign has been launched by the local people who helped to fund the existing school building.

Former pupil Lin Boyd, of Halewood, now a school governor, sent both her children to Garston CofE.

She said: "The school has a great deal of potential and a lot to offer our children both now and in the future.

"It is extremely important this school remains in the area as there are no other schools supporting a CofE education within the close vicinity."

Headteacher Rick Widdowson added: "This school is very special. It is like one big happy family.

"The school fills a large place in the community and although the numbers are low at the moment we are confident we can rise again."

The vicar of St Michael's Garston, the Ven Bob Metcalf, said the school was "crucial to the life of the community".

David Johnston, from the diocese of Liverpool, said: "Nothing will be decided about Garston until a full process of consultation has taken place with everyone concerned."

It is proposed that the school will close at the end of the summer term next year. A final decision will be taken in March.

Colin Hilton, executive director of children's services at Liverpool council, said: "Several years ago the council was persuaded to give Garston CofE School more time to implement a plan of recovery. At the time, it was stressed failure of the recovery plan would mean the school's future would have to be reviewed."

He added parents would have "every opportunity" to be involved in the consultation.

janewoodhead@liverpoolecho.co.uk

School's history

GARSTON claims the title of oldest school in the city, even though The Blue Coat school opened in 1708, as it has offered continuous education since 1716.

During its early years the school was in Kettlenook before moving in 1866 to Banks Road where it remained until July 1964. In 1962 a Buy A Brick scheme was launched to help to fund the building of a new school with families pledging six pence a week. They raised £10,000.

The council says:

"THE school was given a recovery plan several years ago. Regrettably, this has not worked. In the past three years, the number of children on roll has continued to decline, reducing to 81.

"Following an inspection by Ofsted in September a number of weaknesses were identified and the school was given 'Notice to Improve'."

The diocese says:

"IF the school were closed now we would lose the last remaining Church school in the area. It must be saved, not only for the children who benefit from it today, but also for future generations."