Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab)

- Hansard -

Parents, pupils and members of the wider Skelmersdale community are opposed to the possible closure of Glenburn sports college that is currently being consulted on by Lancashire county council. People have marched through the town in protest and signed petitions, and the message in their consultation submission is clear: pupils and parents do not believe that closing the school is in the best interests of pupils. Delivering high-quality education unlocks choice and opportunity for our children and young people, and we strive for the best quality education that we can get. To achieve that goal there needs to be a comprehensive review of education across the town, and a desire to invest in the futures of those young people. To that end, I bring a petition to the House of Commons from the residents of West Lancashire and others.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of West Lancashire,

Declares that there are plans to close Glenburn Sports College; further that the Petitioners do not support the closure of Glenburn Sports College but wish to keep it as the local school in the Skelmersdale area; further that the Petitioners deplore the high-handed way that Lancashire County Council decided to consult on the possible closure of the school; and further that a local petition on this matter was signed by 2,759 individuals.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Lancashire County Council to have a genuine consultation about the possible closure of Glenburn Sports College in order to listen to the pupils and parents of the school and to explain the decision-making process behind the plans to close the school; and further request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Lancashire County Council to give time and support to Glenburn Sports College to enable the school to improve its performance and financial position.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P001415]