Picture Ref: 77613-89PARENTS at a Swindon primary school are fighting to save it from being merged with a larger school.

Windmill Hill is one of four West Swindon primary schools which could be closed or amalgamated to tackle surplus school places.

Salt Way primary has been named as the school most likely to close and a consultation into the futures of Freshbrook, Windmill Hill and Toothill schools is ongoing.

One of the proposals the borough council has put forward is to merge Windmill Hill and Freshbrook schools.

But parents of pupils at Windmill Hill say they will do everything in their power to keep their school just the way it is.

Parent governor Chris Davison is leading the campaign.

She said: "The vast majority of parents are completely opposed to any change to the way the school is.

"The council has proposed merging it with Freshbrook.

"But Windmill Hill performs well as a small, one form entry school and we want to keep it that way."

She described what she thinks makes Windmill Hill so special.

"There are things about our school that we won't be able to keep if it becomes a larger school," she said.

"In particular, the level of care that we give to each child.

"We believe that changing the school would have an impact on our own children's education because change always does."

The parents have mounted a carefully co-ordinated campaign to save the school.

"We are co-ordinating the lobbying of local councillors and the LEA," said Chris.

"A petition has also been organised calling for the school to stay as it is."

Chris believes that the campaign could have a real impact on the council's decision.

"We are confident that we are in a strong position," she said.

"This is a very good school and it is too good to be just thrown away."

Windmill Hill headteacher David Messenger says he is supporting the parents' campaign.

He said: "We want the opportunity to carry on our good work.

"We think the school works well as it is and it seems so strange that the council should want to change it.

"There are schools in the area which have surplus places but we don't have that problem."

Diana Milne