GOVERNORS at Lymm High School are locking horns with the council over its move to axe partnerships with two primary schools.

Head teacher Angela Walsh and chairman of governors Kieran Walshe have signed the opposition statement.

It says the school will attempt to reverse the decision to end its partnership with High Legh and Little Bollington primary schools from 2017.

The statement reads: “Lymm High School governors are opposed to the changes in admissions arrangements.

“Virtually all responses to the council’s consultation have been opposed to the change.

“(Governors) were disappointed that the council did not seem to have taken the community’s views into account.

“Governors believe that having expanded primary school places in Lymm and elsewhere, the council needs to consider expanding secondary school provision to meet demand rather than try to cut Lymm High School’s longstanding relationships with some existing partner primary schools.

“They were very concerned that these changes could affect parents’ choice of primary school and decided they would continue to oppose the changes in admission arrangements, and seek to have them reversed.”

The council announced in April it would be cutting four partnerships.

Links between Bridgewater High School and Moore and Daresbury primary schools have also been severed.

Ann McCormack, assistant director for school partnership and resources at the council, said: “Lymm High School is regularly oversubscribed from within their partner primary criterion, meaning that some pupils living close the high school, but not attending a partner school, are unable to access places at their local secondary school.

“Following a consultation with parents, community groups and other interested parties arrangements have been amended in accordance with recommendations of the Local Admissions Forum.

“Removing of partner primary status from High Legh and Little Bollington CE Primary Schools will ensure the local authority will continue to meet its statutory duty to ensure that efficient education is available to meet the needs of the population in the area.”