MP warns parents not to harm school fight

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas has called on parents not to move their children from Our Lady’s RC School in Moorside — despite a decision to close it.

Mr Woolas says the fight to save the school is not over and parents are organising a campaign to appeal to the schools adjudicator.

Councillors voted at last week’s cabinet meeting to begin moves to close the school. But Mr Woolas says there is a guarantee from the local authority that, whatever the outcome of the proposal, it will remain open for at least another year.

He told a parents’ meeting on Saturday: “There is a real danger that parents vote with their feet and withdraw their children before the final decision is taken.

“Already the rolls have fallen and the cabinet took the decision based on the school numbers as they are now, not as they were before the leaking of the proposal.

“It’s quite understandable that parents will move their child in anticipation of the closure but the danger is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“The school is first class and provides a very good education. I will do what I can to support the campaign.’

The local authority and the Salford RC Diocese must demonstrate how the views of consultees such as parents have been taken into account, even if the decision goes against them.

Councillors heard that several primary schools in East Oldham have surplus places, and voted to merge Our Lady’s with Sacred Heart RC School in Derker.

Parents have launched a Save Our Lady’s campaign with T-shirts, and a petition is being raised. They say Sacred Heart is too far away for Moorside children to travel to.