Published: Wednesday, 6th January, 2010 12:48pm

Anger over school closure

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By Rosalyn Campbell

EDUCATION bosses will axe a Renfrew primary school - to the dismay of parents and pupils who campaigned against its closure.

Renfrewshire Council education chiefs voted just before Christmas to close Moorpark Primary School after a period of consultation.

Parents at Moorpark had called for a joint campus with St James to be established as an alternative.

They collected over 1,000 signatures in support of the idea - but it was rejected by council bosses.

Margaret Lappin, secretary of the Moorpark parents' steering group, said: "They're breaking up a close-knit community. All the kids in the school want a joint campus."

Another parent said: "The current council have no interest in providing good educational facilities for our children. First, South Primary, then the pre-five shake-up and now the closure of an iconic school, the oldest in our town."

Another objector, who called Moorpark 'the best school in the world', added: "It's so not fair. Big deal, there are leaks but they can get fixed and they can paint the walls."

Local Councillor Mary Fee hit out:

"Despite a majority of people wanting a joint campus for Moorpark and St James, the administration ignored the views of the people of Moorpark and went ahead with the decision to close Moorpark Primary.

"The concerns and views raised in the consultation were glossed over and pushed to one side whilst the administration congratulated the officers involved in drawing up the plans for doing the best for the pupils and parents of Moorpark.

"The Labour group's amendment to further explore the option of a new build joint campus for Moorpark and St James was voted down."

She added: "Figures for projections of pupil numbers don't go beyond five years and the Scottish Government insistence on reducing class sizes will further impact on the ability of the schools to cope with the increased number of pupils."

Councillor Lorraine Cameron, convenor of Renfrewshire Council's Education Policy Board, responded: "The vast majority of people will understand that the investment of £20 million in these very difficult financial times is a substantial commitment to education in Renfrewshire.

"The final proposal incorporates a number of changes affecting traffic management, access, decant arrangements, and safe routes to school.

"The shared campus option was fully explored. It didn't provide the best option educationally and would have replicated the excess capacity which already exists. The agreed £20 million investment delivers a new build school, a new pre-five centre, and also investment in other schools."

She added: "We've looked in detail at all aspects of primary and pre-five education in Renfrew. That review included the condition of existing buildings, future educational requirements, population estimates, residential developments and the need to provide high quality and sustainable facilities for the children of Renfrew."

A new build St James Primary school will be completed by early 2013. The facility will include a new Moorpark Pre-5 centre. Kirklandneuk Primary will be redesigned and upgraded. Moorpark Primary will close in June 2010 with pupils transferring to either Kirklandeuk or Newmains primaries.