Parents campaign to save village primary school

Warwickshire County Council said a final decision is yet to be made on the future of Great Alne Primary School

Parents and residents have started a campaign to save their local school.

Mum-of-two Mariah Clarke is urging people to write to Warwickshire County Council to try and stop them from closing Great Alne Primary School near Alcester.

She said: "Great Alne should stay open because the spaces for children are needed now and will certainly be needed in the future."

Warwickshire County Council has begun a consultation period after a recent report assessing the financial viability of keeping the school open and said no decision has been made and no closure would take place before the end of the current academic year.

The school has capacity for 105 pupils but currently only has 16 pupils in attendance across all the year groups.

Mrs Clarke has set up a Facebook group and is urging as many people as possible to complete the online consultation form about the future of the school.

She said: "I grew up in Alcester and hold both Alcester and Great Alne close to my heart as do so many others.

"This has come at a time where the school have only just received the amazing news that their most recent OFSTED report has improved which was really positive and proud news for the school.

"Lots had been going on behind the scenes to improve the school from the staff to the PTA, it's been going from strength to strength.

Just as these things are happening, the council hit us with this decision. It's very unfairly timed."

Mariah Clarke, pictured with her two children, said the possible closure is 'unfairly' timed

Local resident David Harvey said the school has made an effort to turn things around.

He said: "It's a lovely little village school. I know it's had a history of issues in the past but I believe that's all been sorted now with a new headteacher, and there's a new regime, I think the school's going to come on great strides."

Warwickshire County Council said the school has experienced a "sustained" decline in pupil numbers - which is affecting the school's financial stability and sustainability.

It added: "The council and the school are working closely with the whole school community and if closure is the final outcome families will be supported to obtain places for their children at other infant or primary schools."

Consultation on the school's future began on 3 November and will continue until 12 December.