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School closure plan protest
AN angry parent plans to rally support and start a petition to stop her children's school from closing.
Hartlepool Borough Council is reviewing primary education in town as part of the Government's Primary Capital Programme (PCP) which could see more than 50m pumped into transforming education.
The programme is aimed at removing surplus places, improving standards and rebuilding or taking out of use schools in need of repair.
A list of options has been drawn up, which could see five primary schools close and several other schools relocate on shared sites.
Hartlepool mother Leanne Brown has hit out at the options open to Rossmere Primary School, in Catcote Road, which includes no change, reduce the size or close the school.
The 29-year-old mother-of-six, from Esk Grove, said: "I am absolutely devastated by the possible closure of the school.
"I am all for improvements being made but not if that means closing schools.
"I think Rossmere is an excellent school and the standard and dedication of the staff are beyond the call of duty.
"We know it is only an option but we need to fight it now otherwise it may close."
Mrs Brown has four children at the school, Lauren, 10, Callum, eight, Jaydyn, six and four-year-old Harley.
Her two oldest children, Robert, 13 and 12-year-old Arron, both went to Rossmere and are now at Manor College of Technology.
The housewife added: "Other schools in the area don't have the facilities that Rossmere does and there are regular after school activities for the children.
"A few years ago my landlady sold our house, but in order to stay in the Rossmere area and at the school we had to take a house with a higher rent.
"I would rather leave town than send my children to another school where I know they wouldn't be happy."
Mrs Brown has written to Rossmere ward councillor, Mick Johnson and Hartlepool MP Iain Wright with her concerns.
"There was a meeting for parents at the school and everyone felt very angry about the options," added Mrs Brown, who is married to Robert.
"Nobody wants the school to close and I will do whatever it takes to help keep it open and I intend to get a petition and organise meetings to drum up support,"
Consultation options also include closing Elwick Hall Primary School, Hart Primary School, Owton Manor Primary School and Ward Jackson Primary School.
Hartlepool's initial PCP allocation is 3m for the year 2009-10 and 5.4m for 2010-11.
The PCP is a 14-year programme and the town's initial allocation is expected to be more than 36m.
Coupled with other primary education funding the total figure being pumped into transforming primary education is expected to be more than 50m.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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