Parents angry at school mergers

Parents of pupils at six closure-threatened schools in Lancashire say they fear a planned merger will have a detrimental effect on their children.

The primary schools in Skelmersdale will be replaced by two new schools, despite a long fight by parents against the move.

The county council says the mergers are necessary because there are too many unfilled school places in the town.

Elmers Green, Fairlie and Clough Fold schools will merge to create a new school on the Clough Fold site.

St Mark's, St Luke's and St Matthew's Roman Catholic Primary Schools will also merge and be replaced by a new school run by the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

'Angry and upset'

The mother of a pupil at Fairlie school told the BBC she was angry at the mergers and worried that her children would be bullied at their new school.

She said: "There's a group of kids at Clough Fold that my kids don't get along with so I don't want them mixing.

"I am very angry and quite upset. How can I tell my daughter she's going to school with these kids that bully her in her own house?"

Jennifer Harker, headteacher of Fairlie School, said: "It is a very sad day for our school.

"We have known it may be coming but you can never prepare for the actual news of an amalgamation which really means the end of Fairlie School."

'Difficult decisions'

But County Councillor Alan Whittaker said the moves were necessary.

He added: "In making these difficult decisions we have listened to the views of children, their parents, the school staff, governors and the community.

"As a result we have made significant changes to the proposals and look forward to developing a vibrant and successful primary sector in Skelmersdale."

Two schools - Hillside and Delph Side - will stay open while Little Digmoor school will also remain open, but with a reduced capacity.