Parents and local residents are celebrating after Stockport Council and Salford Diocese have withdrawn their proposal to close St Mary’s RC Primary School in Heaton Norris.
Last year, following a disappointing Ofsted report, plans were revealed to convert the primary school into an academy, however the Diocese of Salford did not want to absorb the school into its trust, believing it to be ‘unviable’ due to the falling number of Catholic pupils, and proposed to close the school during the next academic year. Devastated local parents and former pupils launched a campaign to save the school from closure, which was supported by the local councillors and Labour Party community campaigners.
St Mary’s has been partof the community for over 100 years, where local residents have described it as being more than a school, it is a community hub that provides food parcels, clothing and advice to local residents. During the consultation process that closed earlier this year, over 90% of respondents did not support the closure of the school, with 88% disagreeing that Stockport Council had no other option other than to close the school.
Jo Williams, who has been part of the campaign to save St Mary’s “This is incredible news, St Mary’s has been part of the Lancashire Hill community for years, now it will continue to be for years to come”
Paul Wright who is standing as one of the Labour candidates for the area in May added, “Saving St Mary’s, and providing free school meals for more children. Labour really knows how to look after families in Stockport”
The plans now been brought forward by Salford Diocese will see St Mary’s become part of the Emmaus Academy and an expanded local nursery provision will move onto the site. Cllr Colin Foster who leads on Education for the Labour Group on the Council said “I’m delighted that the Diocese of Salford have recognised the importance schools like St Mary’s have in their local community, and I’d like to commend the local campaign that has brought this about.”
Welcoming the news local campaigner Dave White said, “I am absolutely delighted for the pupils, parents and staff of St Mary’s who have made the case and worked so hard. The Headteacher deserves great praise for the way she has handled the situation and achieved this result, it’s great news for the whole community”.