Keighley MP Ann Cryer is writing to Education Secretary David Blunkett to plead the case for keeping tiny Oldfield First School open.

The 36-pupil school is recommended for closure under Bradford council's controversial schools review.

Staff, parents and governors at Oldfield are pinning their hopes on the fact that the government has pledged not to close rural schools and the council's reassurance that its proposals may be changed.

A mere 15 people from the Keighley area have written to Mrs Cryer about the school review generally. Some of them were in favour of wide-ranging plans to shift the district's education system from a first-middle-upper school set-up to a primary-secondary style with a move for pupils at age 11.

The council insists it wants to change in order to raise levels of achievement and help schools cope better with the national curriculum and testing at seven, 11 and 14. This means that some first schools will become primaries on their existing sites. Others will move into middle school buildings.

The loudest Keighley protest has come from Oldfield supporters. They lobbied the education committee meeting which voted for consultations on the detailed proposals.

Mrs Cryer intends to tell Mr Blunkett that the hamlet has neither church, shop nor post office and that the school acts as a focus for the small but vibrant rural community.

She feels it is worthy of support because Oldfield not only provides education for five-nine-year-olds, but also supports other groups. Mrs Cryer lists a luncheon club for elderly people, a homework club for older children and a parent and toddler group among the activities available on school premises.

She also cites the commitment of parents who have assisted with fundraising and intends to tell the Education Secretary - who will have the final say on the Bradford shake-up - that there is no alternative school available for the Oldfield children.

"The school works with the community and the community works with the school," says Mrs Cryer. "This is exactly the sort of project which should be encouraged.

"Small here is beautiful and excellent."

The deadline for responses to the proposals is May 29. A further report will go to councillors for approval in June and if the Department for Employment and Education accepts the Bradford scheme the public will have a chance to comment again in the autumn.

The formal consultations are to include discussions with school pyramids and other partners on how best to achieve continuity of education and on staffing issues.

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