Parents start campaigns to save schools

CAMPAIGNS to prevent the closure of St Andrew's Primary and St Sampson's Infants began in earnest this weekend.

After it was announced by the Education Department late last week that it intended to seek States approval to shut both schools, parents and PTA groups have begun mobilising to prevent this from happening.

More then 25 parents attended a St Andrew's Primary PTA emergency meeting yesterday.

Over the last 48 hours they have begun marshalling the forces of social media to their cause.

By late yesterday the Facebook page, Save St Andrew's Primary, had nearly 650 likes. The Twitter campaign, under the account @No2Closure, was racking up followers, too.

Chairman Charles Swainston said this was just the beginning and the PTA had no intention of backing down.

'We have a strong determination to change the will of the Education Department. They have had a long time to prepare their argument, we have six weeks. We have a strong community and we are determined to win.'