LATEST NEWS: 'We simply cannot let this happen' - School, teachers and parents to fight closure proposal

A PRIMARY SCHOOL could close in 2023 after a "huge fall" in numbers.

Leeds City Council has begun a consultation to shut Queensway Primary School, in Coppice Wood Avenue, in the Yeadon area.

In comes amid falling births in the Yeadon and Guiseley areas, according to a letter sent to parents and carers from the local authority seen by the Telegraph & Argus.

It explains that there are a number of schools in the area with surplus places and states Queensway is one of those.

The letter said: "Unfortunately, Queensway Primary School has also seen a large fall in the request for places in its reception class and future numbers are expecting to decline further."

The proposal is to shut the primary school at the end of the current academic term, in July 2023.

It would mean those children who have only just joined the school in September would be forced to move to a different education setting next summer - something Leeds City Council said it would support families with.

The local authority said: "If there was a decision to close the school, we would support families and ensure that all children are given an alternative local place."

But Leeds City Council has opened a consultation regarding the proposal, which will begin on Monday (September 26).

This means parents and interested parties will be able to present their viewpoints on the matter and even oppose it.

The consultation runs for four weeks, with two drop-in sessions scheduled which people can attend to share their thoughts.

These are in the school hall on:

  • Wednesday, October 5, between 5pm and 7pm
  • Wednesday, October 12, between 6pm and 8pm

Leeds City Council said it is important it hears from parents and interested parties during the consultation and that their responses "will help to shape the next important steps".

It added: "It is important to us that you know that no decisions have been made and that the consultation is an opportunity for us to listen and consider the many different perspectives that parents and anyone with an interest in the school will want to share with us."

Queensway Primary School has been informed of the proposal and consultation and opposes it.

The school's last full Ofsted inspection came in June 2012 and it had 231 pupils on the school roll at that point.