A controversial school for problem pupils will be shut down early despite objections from its head teacher and the board of governors.

Councillors have also brushed aside objections from two other members of staff and six parents over the closure of Ellar Carr School in Thackley, Bradford.

The school, which currently has 14 boys on its roll, was originally due to shut in December after approval by the former Education Committee in December last year.

Bradford Council plan to open a bigger school on the same site to cater for 80 boys and girls with emotional and behavioural problems in January 2001.

But at an Executive Committee meeting yesterday councillors agreed to bring forward the closing date to May 26.

This was despite a consultation report which revealed objections to the proposal by headteacher Tim Ensor (on behalf of five parents), the board of governors, two members of staff and one parent.

It listed no less than 13 reasons for their objections which included:

The disruption of existing pupils' education.

The move was simply a cost cutting exercise.

Fears about the future of existing staff.

Insufficient information about how the curriculum would be managed

Concern that no firm proposal had been made for the continued employment of the headteacher.

Councillor Susanne Rooney, executive member for education, told the meeting that the closure was necessary as three key staff were set to leave by Easter.

She said it could not provide the standard of education the Council would expect for the school's pupils, especially as it was already on Special Measures after failing an OFSTED inspection.

But Councillor David Ward, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, demanded to know what provision would be made for the existing pupils' education in the interim when the school closed in May.

Coun Rooney said pupils would be helped by the authority's other service providers, including Whinburn Pupil Referral Unit in Keighley.

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