Call to delay school closure

COUNCILLORS are calling for the closure of a high school to be delayed amid fears the plans will damage pupils' education.

The move comes after Stoke-on-Trent City Council voted last week to shut Longton High, in Meir, in summer 2010. All pupils on roll at that time would be able to stay on the site, but would become the responsibility of nearby Sandon High.

But the BNP Group has now called in this decision, which means it will be referred to a scrutiny committee for further discussion.

BNP councillors want Longton's closure to be delayed until a proposed new academy opens at Park Hall in September 2011.

They claim this would help protect the education of current pupils at Longton.