Threatened schools band together

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Four primary schools near Lisburn threatened with closure have agreed to band together to fight for survival.

They voted unanimously to ask their local education board to amalgamate them as one of the existing schools.

Lambeg, Charley Memorial, Drumbo and Hillhall schools have only 100 pupils combined, with just 13 pupils at one.

They had hoped to be merged into one newly built school but were told even that would not be viable and that all should close.

The government put four commissioners in charge of the South Eastern Education and Library Board when its members refused to implement extreme budget cuts.

In April, a board committee recommended that Hilden Integrated Primary School close on 31 August 2007 due to falling pupil numbers.

'Pledged his support'

About 100 parents, staff and governors met on Tuesday night and agreed to plead for a cheaper alternative - to band together as one new school but in one of the existing buildings.

One parent, Shirley MacWilliam, said she believed this was the most feasible option if they were not to lose their rural schools altogether.

"I don't know about the prospects of its success but I think it is the most sensible way for us to proceed," she said.

"I would feel hopeful that if all the parents work together and schools work together we can make a very good case."

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has pledged his support for the new plan which Lisburn City Council will also be asked to back.

"I have no doubt that this rural community deserves to have a school, can sustain a new school, and that is why the decision was taken tonight," he said.

"It is a very positive and a very constructive decision and I am delighted that it has received such widespread support."

The commissioners now intend to consult on the closure.

BBC Northern Ireland education correspondent Maggie Taggart said: "The parents now face an uphill struggle to convince them that their idea would work and provoke another change of heart by the board."