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Parent power saved Castle Hall School in the end...
PARENT power saved the day for Mirfield’s Castle Hall School.
Within days of the closure threat being announced in September 2008, a band of angry parents turned their focus on the fight ahead.
A packed public meeting at the Old Colonial Club in Mirfield resulted in the formation of REACH (Retain Education At Castle Hall) and a campaign which stretched to Westminster and back.
A series of protests kept the campaign in the public eye - and the pressure on Kirklees Council.
Hundreds of supporters turned out on a cold and wet Saturday to form human SOS (Save Our School) symbols on the school fields.
Then there was a march from Ravensthorpe - with youngsters brandishing messages which left the council in no doubt over the strength of feeling - followed by a cycle ride to the House of Commons.
There was plenty of fundraising in between to pay for legal advice which eventually won the day.
Dewsbury and Mirfield Labour MP Shahid Malik was persuaded to back the campaign - and fight against the Labour-controlled local authority.
Mr Malik hailed the campaign as the “best he has been involved with” and said: “Justice has been done. I have always maintained that the idea that you would close the best performing school in the name of educational achievement is nothing short of perverse.”
Mr Malik brought campaigners face-to-face with Education Secretary Ed Balls in Dewsbury.
Though Mr Balls said he had the power to step in he chose not to, leaving the final decision to an independent adjudicator.
REACH chairman Karen Rowling was planning a mighty celebration this weekend and said: “It’ll be the biggest party Mirfield has ever seen!”
Castle Hall chairman of governors Brian Nicholson also praised REACH and the tireless drive and commitment of parents and grandparents.
“We knew right from the start we would need parent power and when we first got to know we had a parents’ evening planned,” he said. “Usually we’d get 19 people but 190 turned up. That’s when REACH was started and look what happened then. It’s been amazing.”
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
Parent power saved Castle Hall School in the end...
PARENT power saved the day for Mirfield’s Castle Hall School.
Within days of the closure threat being announced in September 2008, a band of angry parents turned their focus on the fight ahead.
A packed public meeting at the Old Colonial Club in Mirfield resulted in the formation of REACH (Retain Education At Castle Hall) and a campaign which stretched to Westminster and back.
A series of protests kept the campaign in the public eye - and the pressure on Kirklees Council.
Hundreds of supporters turned out on a cold and wet Saturday to form human SOS (Save Our School) symbols on the school fields.
Then there was a march from Ravensthorpe - with youngsters brandishing messages which left the council in no doubt over the strength of feeling - followed by a cycle ride to the House of Commons.
There was plenty of fundraising in between to pay for legal advice which eventually won the day.
Dewsbury and Mirfield Labour MP Shahid Malik was persuaded to back the campaign - and fight against the Labour-controlled local authority.
Mr Malik hailed the campaign as the “best he has been involved with” and said: “Justice has been done. I have always maintained that the idea that you would close the best performing school in the name of educational achievement is nothing short of perverse.”
Mr Malik brought campaigners face-to-face with Education Secretary Ed Balls in Dewsbury.
Though Mr Balls said he had the power to step in he chose not to, leaving the final decision to an independent adjudicator.
REACH chairman Karen Rowling was planning a mighty celebration this weekend and said: “It’ll be the biggest party Mirfield has ever seen!”
Castle Hall chairman of governors Brian Nicholson also praised REACH and the tireless drive and commitment of parents and grandparents.
“We knew right from the start we would need parent power and when we first got to know we had a parents’ evening planned,” he said. “Usually we’d get 19 people but 190 turned up. That’s when REACH was started and look what happened then. It’s been amazing.”
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
