STAFF and Parents at Norton Priory School are holding a public meeting next month in their battle to stop the intended merge with Brookvale Comprehensive.

Concerned parents fear the school will be demolished, and the former site, along with the sports pitch on Haddocks Wood, will be used for development, and the nearby recreation centre privatised.

Pupils from the two large estates will be forced to travel to Brookvale, and no provisions have been made as yet for free bus passes.

So, not only will children have to pay to travel to school; if the site is developed, they will also have to go elsewhere to play as well, and valuable community schemes, such as 'Kops and Kids', which runs each summer, will cease to exist.

Job losses and conflicts between pupils have been predicted, and parents believe the merge will affect the morale and self esteem of staff and pupils.

Angry parents also argue that while Norton Priory has room for 1500 pupils, Brookvale, at present cannot accommodate pupils from both schools.

They believe new provisions will be made for sixth formers, and the move will have damaging repercussions on pupils, especially those with special needs, for at least two years.

But, Director of Education Graham Talbot insists they will be better off. In a recent interview with the World, he said: "When it is all finalised, there will be more money per pupil for schools in Halton, and everyone will benefit.

"It is very important for me to say that the proposal for Norton Priory to close is no criticism of the teachers or the teaching that goes on."

He added that the proposals are still open for comments, and Halton Council would be consulting everyone concerned.

Pat Tyrell, Chairman of the Education Consultancy Committee said he would like to stress that the proposed closure of the school was still in the consultation process, and it's future would be more clear after a series of meetings with staff over coming months.

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