FAMILIES at a Northumberland school which is set to close have launched a fight to save it.
Parents of children at Rock Hall School, near Alnwick, which is due to shut next summer, have launched the campaign Save our School in Six weeks.
A steering group has been formed and an open day lined up to attract pupils.
School bosses have said it could remain open if more children are found and have thanked local people for their support.
The Journal reported last month how bosses at the last remaining independent school between Newcastle and Berwick, which teaches children from nursery to age 13, had announced it would close at the end of July.
Co-principal Lalage Bosanquet, who set up the school in a shed in her back garden in 1984, blamed rising costs, red tape and falling pupil numbers.
The announcement meant 20 job losses and around 50 children being forced to find another school. The news was greeted with dismay by parents whose children attend the school.
Now, following a meeting on Tuesday night, parents, teachers and pupils past and present, have formed an eight-member steering group which is to campaign to save the school from closure.
The group has organised an open afternoon at the school on January 8, to which it hopes to attract parents of prospective new pupils.
Parents have set a six to eight-week deadline to save the school as that will take them to the time when families are deciding where to send children the next academic year. The timeframe will allow parents of current pupils to begin looking elsewhere if the campaign fails.
Robert Cook, who lives at Lesbury, near Alnmouth, is the father of four-year-old pupil Archie and a member of the committee.
He said: “It would be such a shame if Northumberland’s only independent school offering education between three and 13 were to close.
“Rock Hall School is a very special place with many unique features and we are determined to keep it open.
“By showing what it can provide to other parents it is one step towards achieving our goal.
“We not only want to safeguard our own children’s education and the staff of the school, but we want Rock Hall School to continue to thrive as an integral part of the Northumberland community.”
Last night, co-principal Avril Lomas said it is possible the closure decision could be overturned if enough new pupils are found.
“That is the intention. If the support was there we would be delighted to.
“Given the reaction we have had from the community, it would be very well received.”
Since the announcement, several people have contacted the school saying they had planned to send their children there. Bosses are hoping such people will attend the open day, which Mrs Lomas said is of “great importance”.
She added: “We are just overwhelmed by the support, it has been wonderful, it has been an unbelievable reaction and so highly supportive.”
Anyone interested in attending the open day should contact Lucia Bridgeman via email luciabridgeman@gmail.com or the school on 01665 579224.
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