Wakeman School, Shrewsbury, closure – calls to bombard council

The Wakeman School in Shrewsbury faces closure

Parents and pupils at Shropshire’s only under-threat secondary school have been told to “bombard” council chiefs in a bid to keep it open.

Beverley Baker, Shropshire councillor for Bagley, told people to write letters to Shropshire showing support for the Wakeman School in Shrewsbury.

People have also been urged to attend a protest outside Shirehall on Tuesday to show the strength of feeling over the closure plan.

More than 200 people attended a meeting at the school last night, where pupils said campaigns had been set up on social networking websites within hours of the announcement.

Under the plans the school faces closure in July 2013, with pupils transferring to Meole Brace School.

Karen Moore, headteacher, said: “We are the first point of the proposals, they have not been put to the council and there is still a long way to go.”

Councillor Baker said: “Parents need to bombard the cabinet. I believe in this school and I want it to stay open because it is working for our children.”

A meeting will take place at 3.30pm today at Barrow CE Primary School, in Broseley, and parents, teachers and pupils at Onny Primary School in Onibury, near Craven Arms, will also meet at 3.15pm at their school today.

View more: Meole Brace news, Shrewsbury news, Shropshire Council news, Wakeman School news.

1
Ian Burgwin

February 11, 2011 at 11:40

This school set me on a career that’s taken me around the World and leaves me now living in Australia. To close it would be a tragedy for me and for many like me. Every time I come back to Shrewsbury, I pass this school and whisper some words of thanks to the school and its staff. It’s an institution that should rise above the petty short-term financial hiatus that faces it for now.

Now, I’m off to Facebook to join the cause there.

Ian B

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- H. St. John Peasbody
  
  February 11, 2011 at 13:23
  
  YOU made your life, not a school.
  
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  - Out of School
    
    February 11, 2011 at 18:27
    
    Send back the extra £437,000 per year and I’m sure they’ll keep it open.
    
    If the protesters don’t win the argument, sending photocopies of the same letter won’t help. 200 people (and how many were too young to vote) – Even Danny K, the great opposer, has a larger majority.
    
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  - willmaddoxaberdeen
    
    February 11, 2011 at 22:13
    
    Ah John…… I think you find that schools educate people and prepare them for what is ahead! Ok so this gent above has had a good life however this also is helped by his education numb-nuts!!
    
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  - Powys Geezer
    
    February 11, 2011 at 23:30
    
    Yes Harold- Ian made his life – but based on the sound foundations that a secure educational environment with caring and professional teachers made possible. We are all moulded by our environment in our impressionable youth. Discount Ian’s respect and love for his old school and you kick away at all that he sincerely believes has created his opportunities. The day that Wakeman closes will be a dark day for not only Shrewsbury but Shropshire as a whole.
    
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- willmaddoxaberdeen
  
  February 11, 2011 at 22:14
  
  I love this school!! Hated it at the time but love it now!!
  
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2
rick shaw

February 14, 2011 at 08:45

And I bet all those praising the school for the start it gave them in life attended the Wakeman when it was a Grammar school and arguably THE school to have attended in Shrewsbury.

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3
Toby Larone

February 16, 2011 at 07:38

Send my child to Meol Brace??? Shudder at the thought!!

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4
red ed

February 16, 2011 at 14:46

this school is being closed and will be sold for redevelopment this council is vile don’t forget that they just put up school meals by 10p from september and the councillor aggie said it represents good value for money when has she eaten in primary schools torys equal money poor people beware they are after you

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