Teachers and governors at Oldfield First School say they have the facts and figures to stop Bradford council closing the much-loved village school.

The 40-pupil school has compiled a comprehensive portfolio entitled 'Oldfield - A School with a Future' which staff believe proves the school can become a valid primary school instead of being scrapped by the council, as it proposes.

Oldfield's enormous effort was prompted by the council's radical schools review under which all middle schools and Utley and Oldfield first schools have been earmarked for closure. A new primary-secondary model is to replace the present three-tier education structure in a massive attempt to raise educational standards.

No other threatened school has produced such a comprehensive document. The 11-page dossier includes details about the school building, its academic results, pupils, community involvement and teaching methods. All focus primarily on how well the school is set up to become a primary school. It is littered with photos, statistics, tables, building plans and even contains a detailed map of the school's position in relation with neighbouring villages. It also includes details of which children which would be forced to attend which schools.

Head-teacher Maggie Redpath says: "The portfolio shows how Oldfield School has a future as a primary school - economically, financially and educationally."

Teachers and governors believe that as a primary school Oldfield would 'maintain the quality of education in the local area.'

This move is the latest in a number of attempts to stop the school from closing. Recently shadow minister for Northern Ireland Andrew Mackay came to Oldfield and supported its pleas. He said it would be a 'crying shame' if the school were to close.

Last month American tycoon Tom Lee, who is also Stanbury's Lord of the Manor, shocked Bradford education bosses by claiming he could overturn any decision they made to shut the school. He also threw his weight behind Oldfield's campaign.

The portfolio has been sent to Ray Watson, the director of the council's school review team, Bradford education bosses and various councillors in the area. It has landed in their office days before the consultation period ends next Friday.

School Review latest, page 31

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.