Villagers vow to fund closure-threat school
VILLAGERS fighting plans to close their primary school have pledged to fund it themselves.
Pott Shrigley Church School is in a federation with Bollington St John’s CE Primary.
The Pott Shrigley governors recommended to Cheshire East that the schools should be amalgamated, saying Pott Shrigley is no longer viable on its own.
The council has set up a panel of councillors to do a review of Pott Shrigley ahead of launching a consultation in the new year.
But parents and villagers have formed a campaign group to fight to save the 500-year-old school.
They held a meeting this week with other interested members of the community.
Now members of the community want the council to break the federation with Bollington St John’s and have pledged money to keep the school going, including paying off its budget deficit.
The campaign group has sent a letter to Cheshire East and the governors to ask that the consultation on amalgamating the schools is stopped and to de-federate them.
Jane Naumkin, parent and chairman of Save Pott Shrigley School, said: “We will form an interim governing board and members of the community said they will provide any funding we need, especially to clear any deficit, fund improvement to our school for the reception provision and help us until we’re back on our feet.
“We want our conversa- tions with the council not to be about consultation to close but consultation about the future structure of the school. This could be council led, private or a free school. There are many options that need exploring but for now the council must declare our school safe for Christmas, or after the 16 December we will be too late to save it. Pott Shrigley is an out- standing school at the heart of the community and should not close.”
Pupil numbers are down from 40 three years ago to a current total of 25.
The board of governors states that the government rules for reception children is causing problems because Pott Shrigley cannot meet the requirements for outdoor access.
Councillor Rachel Bailey, leader of Cheshire East Council, said a cross party working group has been set up to carry out a review of the school.
She added: “The council will consider all potential viable solutions which would deliver sustainable, good-quality education for pupils and mitigate any potential impact on the local community.
“This will include the request from parents to consider a proposal for defederation, which will need to be supported with a business case that demonstrates this is a sustainable and viable long-term option.”
Melanie Walker, headteacher, has been contacted for a comment.