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."

[garstonlad75]

This school can't close.
One of the reasons it has had falling pupil numbers is due to the regeneration in Garston. People have been moved out, houses knocked down and nothing re-built. The ground preparation is planned for January according to the Garston Area Committee.

It seem strange that the Church is hell bent on closeing everything that the community built, i.e Bankfield House, the community raised money for the building of this and now Garston C of E school, the community took part in a buy a brick campaign, it is beyond comprehension that we start shutting our schools.

It definately has something to do with that Liverpool South Parkway if you ask me. They want the land, the footbridge goes right up to the school fence.

[Kev]

The oldest school in Liverpool - I never knew that Something to be proud of.

No - I agree this school, my old primary school, cannot close

One thing mate - what parts of Gartson have been knocked down and not rebuilt? If you are talking about under the bridge then that doesnt effect Garston C of E area does it? Only Banks Rd/ Holy Trinity.

[garstonlad75]

Kev, Banks Road & Holy Trinity have said that they could not accommodate the kids from C of E, this leaves them with Springwood which is due to merge with Harold Magney in Woolton i think, so imagine what will happen when they rebuild under the bridge and new families want to send their kids to a localish school.

We are only under the bridge kev, not on the moon (ok well some of us aren't on the moon)

There is also a proposal for new flats/apartments on the site of the old Garston Baths, the possibility of more families. This doesn't even include the properties that are being built on the old bus depot !!!

[Kev]

Kev, Banks Road & Holy Trinity have said that they could not accommodate the kids from C of E, this leaves them with Springwood which is due to merge with Harold Magney in Woolton i think, so imagine what will happen when they rebuild under the bridge and new families want to send their kids to a localish school.

We are only under the bridge kev, not on the moon (ok well some of us aren't on the moon)

There is also a proposal for new flats/apartments on the site of the old Garston Baths, the possibility of more families. This doesn't even include the properties that are being built on the old bus depot !!!

Yep, good point. The families that are going to be there will need a school like Garston C of E. Gald to see the baths under development hopefully soon, again though, they should never have closed it, every saturday morning we used to Break The Jelly (ie) be the first to jump in!!

[Kev]

THE company that carries out Liverpool council house repairs and street cleaning has opened a £20m business support centre at the Matchworks in Garston.

Enterprise has taken 20,000 sq ft at the Urban Splash development and will take on more than 200 people to handle its growing outsourcing operations.

As well as the contracts with the city council, the centre also operate contracts in the insurance, education and central government sectors.

Members of Enterprise's Board and Liverpool civic leaders will visit the new centre today to meet members of the new workforce, many of whom have been recruited locally through South Liverpool JET (Jobs Education and Training).

Recruitment is continuing and by April next year more 150 people will have been taken on, with 220 expected to have joined the centre - which operates on a 24/7 basis - by the end of 2006.

A business unit has been set up to operate out of the Matchworks centre, called Enterprise Customer Support Solutions, which provides customer relationship management and business support solutions to the public, private and utilities sectors.

Since establishing its new Liverpool base, Enterprise has won two Government contracts worth in the region of £120m per annum for seven years.

Enterprise chief executive Jack McGrory said: "We are delighted to have set up in Matchworks, a flagship site that will support the growth of our business over the coming months and years.

"We chose Liverpool to host our expansion over a number of locations due to the proximity to our head office in Lancashire and the availability of suitably skilled staff within the region.

"This will further enhance our presence in the city and will supplement our role as an official partner in the European Capital of Culture in 2008."

Business Liverpool worked with Enterprise since late 2004 to bring this project to Liverpool and has offered an ongoing support programme to the company.

The Northwest Development Agency provided financial support to help bring the company to the city.

The company is set to benefit from Selective Finance for Investment in England, a scheme that supports capital investment projects that lead to improvements in productivity, skills and employment.

Mark Hughes, NWDA executive director of enterprise, innovation and skills said: "The attraction of new businesses to the region is an important economic driver, improving investor confidence as well as being a major source of wealth and job creation.

"The NWDA is pleased to have been able to offer financial assistance to Enterprise plc to support their new operation in Liverpool."

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk

[garstonlad75]

This is good news.
I thought that Vertex who handle calls for Vodafone were in the old matchworks though and they employ hundreds.

[Kev]

It is good news, u want to see the hooj car park that they have created at the back for th workers. Its very nice and clean at the mo.

[Kev]

ANGRY campaigners are refusing to leave the closed community centre Bankfield House. more

[garstonlad75]

Go for it guys, don't let them take you alive

[Scousemouse]

A 10-WEEK sit-in to save a Liverpool community centre has failed after the Church of England ordered campaigners out within the week.

By chance, the Church of England wouldn't have a stable and a manger available, would they? Where the heck are the three wise men?

[Max]

RIOT, RIOT, RIOT.

[Kev]

COUNCILLORS have agreed to start asking the public if Liverpool's oldest primary school should close.

Parents, teachers and other schools will be consulted on the future of Garston primary.

The decision was made by Liverpool council's education select committee last night.

[sweetpatooti]

Save our School Committee had met this evening and is really positive. the school has the support of local councillors Peter Millea and Frank Roderick.
A PUBLIC MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 8 FEBRUARY 2006 AT 6.30 AT THE SCHOOL - ALL THE COMMUNITY MUST ATTEND. It is very important that we let the council and Diocesan officials know just how strong our feelings are.

The Committee asks that the whole community, old pupils and teachers etc (however far away you are) writes or preferably e-mails the Liverpool Echo, the Diocese of Liverpool Board of Education, The Royal Family...anyone and everyone.

In the words of Councillor Frank Roderick "THE SCHOOL MUST STAY"!!!.

[Kev]

Save our School Committee had met this evening and is really positive. the school has the support of local councillors Peter Millea and Frank Roderick.
A PUBLIC MEETING WILL BE HELD ON 8 FEBRUARY 2006 AT 6.30 AT THE SCHOOL - ALL THE COMMUNITY MUST ATTEND. It is very important that we let the council and Diocesan officials know just how strong our feelings are.

The Committee asks that the whole community, old pupils and teachers etc (however far away you are) writes or preferably e-mails the Liverpool Echo, the Diocese of Liverpool Board of Education, The Royal Family...anyone and everyone.

In the words of Councillor Frank Roderick "THE SCHOOL MUST STAY"!!!.

Thanks for your post welcome, hope to hear more from u. How are you involved with the school?