THE Stockport Express can reveal the names of 15 primary schools facing an uncertain future.

A confidential document leaked to the paper identifies schools in North Marple, South Marple, Heald Green, Edgeley and Brinnington - including Roman Catholic and Church of England faith schools.

The figure goes beyond the number of schools quoted in an exclusive story in the Express last December, when we revealed that up to ten schools faced the axe as the Council seek to cut classroom surplusses because of the falling birth rate.

Schools listed in the document include;

  • The Dale, Peacefield, Rose Hill and All Saints in North Marple.

  • Brookside and High Lane in South Marple.

  • Outwood and Bolshaw in Heald Green.

  • Edgeley schools Alexandra Park Infants, and Alexandra Park Juniors.

  • Faith schools including St Joseph’s RC in the town centre, St Mary’s RC, Heaton Norris, St Ambrose, Adswood, and St Mary’s CofE, South Reddish

  • Tame Valley in Brinnington

    The document - entitled ‘Primary School Organisation Strategy’ - was prepared by Michael Jameson, the service director and strategic lead for primary school organisation on Stockport Council.

    An education source told the Express this week: "It is undoubtedly true that schools will close.

    "I know that the consultations have been going on for a number of months and the schools in Marple have been talking among themselves about what is in the best long-term interest of the pupils, and have come to an agreement."

    However, a Council spokesman denied schools would face closure and said: "We can confirm that we are in discussions with these primary schools, but there are no plans to close the schools.

    "We are working positively with the headteachers and chairs of governors at several schools, including faith schools and their diocesan representatives, to discuss a range of options.

    "The Council stresses that no final decision has been taken."

    Nevertheless, Councillor Les Jones, the leader of Stockport’s Conservatives, believes schools do face closure and demanded the local authority put parents, children and teaching staff in the picture.

    Responding to the news Coun Jones said: "It’s typical of this Lib-Dem mal-administration.

    "They are not capable of running this borough. There are fewer things of more concern to parents than their children’s education. It sets a child up for life but if it fails it has the potential to injure that child for life.

    "Why is it that it has taken so long to get to the next round of school closures?" Mr Jameson confirmed there had been "slippage from the original timescales".

    He also added "progress in the faith schools has been somewhat slower due to the complexities in ensuring diocesan strategies for primary education are considered alongside that of Stockport Council’s."

    A Council spokesman added: "Proposals will be made to the Council executive in July 2008 and, if agreed, a formal consultation process would begin involving pupils, parents/carers, governors, teaching and other school staff, and the local community including ward councillors. People will have a chance to have their say and their views will be taken into account before the Council makes its final decisions. The Council’s principal aims are to continue to provide the highest possible quality of education for local children, and to make improvements to benefit the future of primary education in the borough."