Cabinet minister in Mirfield over school closure row

Jul 24 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PROTESTERS fighting controversial changes to Mirfield schools are pinning their hopes on a Cabinet minister.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has held meetings with those wanting to save Castle Hall School and stop expansion plans at Mirfield Free Grammar School.

And he has promised to consider his response.

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik, who arranged the visit, said he was delighted Mr Balls had heard the views of parents and staff.

But he criticised Kirklees Council officials and councillors for their stance on the planned changes.

Two meetings took place, the first with representatives from Kirklees Council and the second with head teachers, governors and members of the parent protest group REACH.

Mr Malik called the changes “ill-informed and backward decisions that would blight lives of young people”.