A COUPLE fear they could be left homeless if their house is demolished as part of the proposed Yeadon school closures.

School superintendent Dennis Sellers and his wife, Carol, have lived next to South View Junior School in Rufford Avenue for three years.

Education Leeds, the education arm of Leeds City Council, says it is talking to the couple and the unions about what could happen if the proposals go through.

And it says future accommodation for school superintendents is one of the issues in the current primary school review.

Mrs Sellers, 48, said: "We think the house is going down with the building, because it wasn't on the plans we have seen. I don't think they will let us stay because we believe it has got structural problems that need to be looked at.

"We don't know what is going to happen to us, but at the moment nothing is set in stone so we are hoping they will provide us with a new house.

"We haven't heard anything from them yet and I think it is up to them to keep us informed. Apart from the head teacher and the deputy we were under the impression that everyone will keep their jobs and be moved across but no one has told us for certain.

Mrs Sellers, a finance officer, added: "Sometimes they provide council houses outside the grounds, but we want to know what is going to happen, we don't want to be just anywhere."

The couple are hoping Education Leeds will give them the opportunity to buy the house or build a new bungalow for them next to the school.

Mrs Sellers said: "It would be nice if they gave us the option of buying the house we have now. When we moved into it, it had been empty for 18 months and we spent £1,500 doing it up to make it liveable."

Chief Executive of Education Leeds, Chris Edwards, told the Wharfedale Observer that they would be working closely with the unions to find a solution.

He said: "One of the issues the Primary Review Initiative will look at is the site of superintendents. Staff, in terms of catering, will work for agencies in charge of the contracts. The superintendents will talk to us and the unions throughout the process."

Graham Lund, who is managing the PFI, said: "We are working with the unions and we are sensitive to the problems and we are supporting them through the process.

"If the proposals go through then we will work on procedures."

A spokeswoman for Education Leeds said: "Leeds City Council and Education Leeds are looking at all staffing issues arising from the Primary School Review, including employment terms and conditions and will be carrying out regular consultations with union representatives.

"The timescale will offer ample opportunity for individual cases and concerns to be addressed. The council and Education Leeds have successfully negotiated satisfactory transitions for both teachers and teaching staff at all the schools involved in previous PFI schemes. We urge staff with concerns to contact their union or Education Leeds personnel staff to discuss their situations in further detail if they wish."