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Save our school!
AN EMOTIVE rallying call has been made in a bid to secure the future of a community school.
The long-term fate of Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, in Seaton Carew, is in the balance, as part of a massive education review and public consultation runs out in just two weeks.
Around 50m will be ploughed in over the next 14 years to bring the town's primary schools up to modern-day standards under the Government's Primary Capital Programme.
That is on top of the 91m already earmarked for Hartlepool secondary schools under the Government's Building Schools for the Future plan.
Council bosses are looking at rebuilding some of the town's primary schools, improving others and reducing the size of some.
All Hartlepool's primary schools have their own nursery unit – except Holy Trinity Primary School which is served by the separate Seaton Carew Nursery School.
An independent survey has shown that the 221-pupil school has a maximum lifespan of five years, after which it would close due to health and safety issues and because repairs are not viable as it would cost more to repair than to rebuild the school.
School head Amanda Baines said: "The purpose of Church of England-aided schools is to provide education to families of all faiths and non-faiths within the heart of the community.
"At the moment we are unable to do that because of our pupil admission numbers and the size of the school. Every parent should have the choice of their children going to their local school in their local community.
"It's vital for everyone in Seaton Carew that the school is expanded and incorporates its own nursery.
"The strength of feeling is overwhelming, and it's important that people realise why everyone is so passionate about the matter.
"Year after year the admissions applications we receive show there is an ever-increasing demand from the community to attend our school."
Ian Anderson, the vice chairman of governors, said: "Government guidelines are all about seamless education from nursery, to reception to Year 1.
"We need the incorporated nursery and larger school for the long-term benefit of Seaton Carew. This really is about building for the future, not the present."
A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: "Consultation on the possible options for the future of Seaton Holy Trinity continues until July 17 and we would urge as many people as possible to make their views known by the deadline.
"The results of the consultation will then be collated and a report will be taken to the council's cabinet in September. We want to make sure that we make the right decision for the future."
* People can submit their views by texting 07797 801498, email pcp@hartlepool.gov.uk or in writing to The Schools Transformation Team, Borough Hall, Hartlepool, TS24 OJD, before July 17.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 28 May 2012
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