Reprieve for three schools

Many schools in Leeds have surplus places

Three primary schools in Leeds which had been earmarked for closure have been given a reprieve.

Beckett Park, Seacroft Grange and Parklands schools were under threat as part of a move by Education Leeds to remove surplus places in the city.

But after a consultation exercise, it has been decided that they will stay open after all.

However, Education Leeds says primary provision in the areas covered by the three schools will be kept under review.

Four other primary schools - Royal Park, Bentley, Langdale and Potternewton - are still scheduled to close next summer.

Chris Edwards, the chief executive of Education Leeds, said: "There are 6,000 fewer children in Leeds primaries than there were in 1997 and number will continue to fall by around 1,000 to 1,500 each year.

"We know that our primary schools are important to their local communities but there are simply not enough children to fill the places."