Campaigners lose fight to save school

In spite of a long campaign by parents and pupils, a final decision to close Abbeydale Grange School in Sheffield was made yesterday.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Feb 2010, 21:06 BST

Updated 24th Feb 2010, 21:06 BST

Councillors at yesterday's cabinet committee meeting listened to final arguments from campaigners before ruling that the school – which has been dubbed "unpopular" and "failing" – should close.

Pupils currently in years 7, 8 and 9 at Abbeydale Grange will transfer to High Storrs, King Ecgbert, King Edward VII, Silverdale and Tapton schools after this year's summer's holidays.

Only those pupils in year 10 will remain to take their GCSE exams next year. The school will then close completely after their exams in 2011.

The school has proved unpopular with local families and currently fewer than one-in-10 parents in Nether Edge choose it as their first preference.

Sheffield Councillors