We don't want our school to close

Falling birth rates have led city councillors to look at the situation in Malpas, which has three primary schools.

Although no decisions have been taken on what should happen, there are fears for the future of Malpas Park School in Newport which could be merged with Malpas Court.

"Parents in Malpas Park are up in arms, we don't want our school to close," said worried Sandy Lavender, of Pilton Vale, whose two children attend the school.

Miss Lavender claimed Malpas Park was almost full at the moment but it is feared it would be selected for closure because it is smaller and does not have such extensive grounds as Malpas Court. She believed there were other options that could be considered before deciding to close either school.

"We feel this is the school we have chosen for our children and we don't want to be moved anywhere else."

The third school is Malpas Church in Wales.

Sian Bates, of Wavell Drive, has one child at the school and another due to start in 2005. She understood rolls were falling but felt government proposals to reduce class sizes would solve the problem.

"If they left things as they were it would sort itself out," said Mrs Bates. "If you asked parents of children from all three schools they would all say they were more than happy with the education their children are getting. Why change it? I will fight it all the way."

Councillor Ron Morris is chairman of the council's young people's services scrutiny forum which is considering the issue.

He said: "We are consulting with the public in Malpas area because the birth rate is reducing the need for the number of schools there at the present moment."

He said no decisions had been made. Parents and governing bodies were being asked for their opinions.

He added: "Something needs to be done because otherwise we are letting down future generations of children."

He said there would be further consultation before any decisions were made.