ANGRY parents of Otley schoolchildren are taking Leeds education chiefs to the High Court.

In a last ditch attempt to reverse a decision to close two of the town's primary schools, parents are seeking a judicial review.

And having had their first attempt for a review turned down by the High Court, they have now gone to the Court of Appeal.

Sonya Conway, spokesman for the All Saints Junior School Parent Action Group - one of the schools due to close in September this year - claimed people were only now beginning to realise the full implications of the planned closures.

She said: "Now that people are finding out where their children are going to go to school, they are actually feeling disturbed about it.

"There was so much apathy when the plans were first announced and what we want to know now is if people knew in September last year what they know now, would they have got off their backsides and fought more."

She added it was the whole community, including businesses and shops, that would be hit by the closures.

"We need to find out what support we would have from everyone in Otley, if there is support we can take it forward.

"As a community, Otley was not asked about the closures, so the community as a whole couldn't give its views."

Mrs Conway, whose two children are directly effected by the closure of All Saints Junior School will now go to Westgate School.

"I went to the school and my dad went to the school, but even if my children didn't go there I would feel the same about it, because it will have such an impact on the town. I have nothing against Westgate School, it's a wonderful school, but there are no sports facilities," she said.

A final decision to close All Saints Junior School, North Parade and Thomas Chippendale, Weston Ridge, was made in September last year.

As part of the Otley primary schools reorganisation, the decision was made to combine All Saints Juniors with All Saints Infants, Lisker Drive, and make Westgate Infants, and Ashfield Infants schools into fully fledged primary schools.

The £1.5 million cost of remodelling the schools, including The Whartons Primary School, will involve new classrooms and improved sports facilities.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: "There has been an application for permission for judicial review of the unanimous decision of the Leeds schools organisation committee to approve the proposal to close All Saints Junior School in Otley.

"The school organisation committee is the body that considers proposals to re-organise school provision in Leeds. It is made up of representatives of the LEA, Church of England and Roman Catholic dioceses in the area, schools and Leeds Federation of colleges.

"A written application for permission was initially refused by the High Court and was refused again following an oral hearing. At the hearing, the judge, the Honourable Mr Justice Maurice Kay said that there was no merit in the application and there had been inexcusable delay by the claimants in bringing the proceedings.

"The claimants are now asking the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against these decisions."

The final decision to close the two schools was made by the independent Schools Organisation Committee following the recommendation of Leeds City Council's Executive Board.

Parents were given a month in March last year to comment on the planned reorganisation and two public meetings were held in the town. Hundreds of parents and supporters of both All Saints Junior and Thomas Chippendale primary schools objected to the plans.

l Anyone who would like to support the All Saints Parents Action Group should contact Sonya Conway on (01943) 466465.