Coseley School closure: Campaign to save school looks lost

Thousands of angry parents battling to save the school have been left devastated by the Dudley education chief Ian Cooper's comments that there is 'no alternative' to closure.

The school will undergo a 'phased closure' in the next 12 months if proposals due to go before Dudley Council's cabinet on Thursday are passed.

Parent Michaela Garbett, of Roseville, had urged the council to rethink the move, collecting more than 2,000 signatures on a petition. She argued that closing the site would cause disruption to pupils' education and put a strain on neighbouring schools.

Mrs Garbett , who moved her daughter Charlotte, who is in Year 8, to High Arcal School last month fearing the worse, today said fellow parents were feeling 'very downhearted' following the announcement.

She added that many of the parents planned to attend Thursday's meeting and were now deciding whether to hold a last-ditch protest.

"It's very disappointing but not that much of a shock, sadly. We knew it was coming because having gone this far the council was unlikely to change their minds. We had carried on fighting but it hasn't been enough.

"I moved my daughter because High Arcal is the closest school and I didn't want to end up with no options if Coseley was to close.

"We are going to decide what to do on Thursday, we will be there and we want to be heard," added Mrs Garbett.

Meanwhile Coseley East Councillor Star Anderton blasted the authority for making the announcement before the formal decision has been agreed.

"It would have nice as a ward councillor to have been told before the announcement was made and for them to have waited until after the decision was made. I think it's wholly unfair on all the children."

Councillor Cooper, cabinet member for children's services, said: "

In recent years the school has experienced a decline in pupil numbers, exam results which are below the national minimum standards and financial difficulties which make it almost impossible to deliver a suitable curriculum for pupils."