Gedling school closure plan angers parents

The school was given a Notice to Improve in a recent inspection

Parents say they are angry over proposals to close a Nottinghamshire secondary school.

The county council has announced plans for the phased closure of The Gedling School - a specialist science college - in Gedling, from 2012.

Families of new pupils applying to go to the school also said they had heard the news after the deadline to apply for other schools had passed.

The council said the plan followed a review of pupil places in the area.

Following an Ofsted inspection in September 2010, the school was given a Notice to Improve because of the school's lack of progress in improving weaknesses highlighted in a previous inspection.

Inspectors scored the overall effectiveness of the school as "inadequate".

'Local community'

In a statement, Nottinghamshire County Council said: "Parents have been informed of the proposals and the council will be consulting with them over the plans.

"This is the beginning of this process and we are committed to seeking the views of, and communicating with, parents throughout the entire process."

Parent Anne Ingle said: "The school is part of a local community in Gedling, its closure will have a knock-on effect on the primary schools.

"What will happen to the children and young people? The good schools in the area are over subscribed as it is.

"What choice do we have as parents? What choice do the children have?"

A petition is due to be presented to the county council at its next cabinet meeting on 15 December, where it will be decided if a formal consultation on the recommended closure will take place.

The school became a specialist science college in September 2008 ands has 583 pupils on its roll.