Schools fight to save Lymm link

TWO primary schools have enlisted the support of a political heavy weight in their battle with Warrington Borough Council to save their links with Lymm High School.
Chancellor George Osborne MP took time out of his busy schedule to add his weight to a campaign by Little Bollington and High Legh Primary Schools to retain their Partner Primary Status with Lymm High School.
Mr Osborne met with the Headteachers and Chair of Governors of both High Legh and Little Bollington C of E Primary Schools near Lymm, to listen to their concerns regarding the council’s proposal to change the admission procedures to Lymm High School.
The proposal is to remove Partner Primary status with Lymm High School from both schools which would prevent children’s automatic entry to their closest, local secondary school.
As the local MP for both primary schools, Mr Osborone said he understood the strong, historical, community connection with both Lymm High School and the village of Lymm.
Little Bollington head Teacher Caroline Johnstone said:”A great deal of opposition has already been voiced by parents, staff, children and local residents and Mr Osborne has helped launch the opposition campaign by being the first signatory on the petition.
Both schools are urging parents and local residents to register their opposition to Warrington Borough Council’s proposal and help both schools remain part of their community.
They are also urging them to contact David Mowatt MP for Warrington South.
The review affects primary partner schools with Lymm High School and Bridgewater High School, which are both over subscribed with pupil numbers.
Ann McCormack from Warrington Borough Council said: “We are currently reviewing the partnering status of four primary schools in conjunction with Halton and Cheshire East councils.
“Both Lymm and Bridgewater High Schools regularly oversubscribe from within their partner primary criterion, meaning that some pupils living close these high schools, but not attending partner schools, are unable to access places at their local secondary school. This factor led us to undertake this review.
“If the proposals are approved then this would mean future applications from the primary schools in question would simply be considered under the proximity criterion.”
Pictured: Mr Osborne with (L-R) High Legh chair manof governors Christine Johnson and head teacher Louise Robbins, with Little Bollington head teacher Caroline Johnstone and chairman of governors Christine Warr.