EDUCATION chiefs have been accused of playing politics with the education of teenagers in Crewe.

Shelving a decision on the future of Ruskin and Kings Grove High Schools has simply prolonged the agony and anxiety for pupils, staff, parents and residents claim status quo supporters.

County councillors will discuss the controversial issue again and it will be debated by full council in two months' time.

Bus loads of supporters from both schools had travelled to Chester believing they would get a decision.

Planners had ruled that the two schools were too small and not viable in the the light of falling pupil numbers.

Closing both and creating a new one on one of the existing sites seemed cut and dried, despite the overwhelming local support for leaving both schools alone.

Education Committee members had veered towards Ruskin whilst county finance chiefs supported Kings Grove as the less expensive option.

Tears and anger followed the decision to defer the matter.

"We were all shocked. The fact that the councillors couldn't make a decision was appalling. They are just playing with people's lives and showing such arrogance," said borough councillor Roy Cartlidge who has two children at Kings Grove.

The County's Conservative group tried to keep both schools open but their amendment was defeated by Labour and Lib Dem members.

Leader Paul Findlow said "So we use the old strategem of referring it back because it is getting more and more embarrassing for the Labour party in Crewe, but it does not help children's education."

Rope member Ray Westwood said it was time for the administration to confess that it had made "a complete hash of this".

Education Committee chairman, Crewe member Peter Nurse defended the deferrment stating: "We need a longer time to win consent and consensus for a scheme of reorganisation."

Those pressing for things to be left as they were were out of touch with reality, he added. There were 800 surplus places in Crewe schools.

"A secondary school of 800 places costs £2million to operate, which gives an indication of the waste involved,' said Cllr Nurse.

"Secondary education in Crewe needs a major investment, which we can only undertake if the issue of surplus places is dealt with. To do nothing will prevent investment in education in Crewe and deny the town a new, super school," he added.

"Please do not play politics with our education" is the message going out to county councillors from Kings Grove Head Girl, Vicky Garner.

She was amongst the campaigners in the public gallery for the non-decisive meeting.

"I was happy that they are to think again about closing my school, but angry because I feel that some councillors are playing at politics with my education," she said.

Her message to the decision makers is: "We do not need all this uncertainty and disruption. We the pupils, our parents and local borough councillors want Kings Grove to remain open. Invest in the school, don't close it."

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