PUPILS, teachers and parents linked hands around an axe-threatened school to protest against its closure.

Some 500 protesters, including past pupils, made a human chain around Birkdale High School, Dewsbury, on the last day of term yesterday morning.

The school was served with a statutory closure notice in December by Kirklees Council as part of the previous Labour Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

Neighbouring Earlsheaton Technology College, Westborough High School and Thornhill Community Science College were to receive cash for expansion under BSF.

And while BSF was scrapped in austerity measures made by the current Government, Birkdale is still earmarked to close in July 2011.

The school, which educates pupils from Batley and Dewsbury, has struggled in the past.

But Birkdale, which has 480 pupils, came out of special measures in 2006 and an Ofsted report in December rated the school as ‘satisfactory’.

Supporters of the school say Birkdale’s closure, especially now BSF has been axed, will have a long-term negative impact on education in deprived areas of North Kirklees.

They have so far written 200 letters to Kirklees Council and signed a petition against the school’s closure.

Last year 36.6% of pupils got five or more A to C grade GCSEs compared to the 64.7% average for Kirklees schools.

Headteacher Chris Caraher said: “We think a smaller school is better for the type of community we serve.

“They are from quite disadvantaged backgrounds and they need nurturing. To continue with the closure plan and to almost dump those pupils, we are horrified.

“Today is symbolic. We ask Kirklees to slow down and think again. Make sure your decision is right for the youngsters. The best for them is to keep Birkdale open.

“We have a track record for improving standards. We came out of special measures in 2006 and we continue to go from strength to strength.”

Also against the school’s closure is Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell.

The Conservative member said: “The school has worked really hard over the last few years and can be justifiably proud of the huge improvement in results.

“The teachers, parents and pupils think that the best way to improve on the standards they’ve achieved is for the school to continue and I support them in that view.”

Kirklees Cabinet member for schools Ken Smith said: “It’s improved over the last three years but that was from an extremely low base.

“The money comes in per pupil. The crucial thing for us is the number of places. At the moment we think there are sufficient places in the area.

“Information coming from the Government is either non-existent or very confusing so we are not making any sudden movements or drastic decisions.

“When pupils have to compete against schools with better GCSEs we have to ask if we are serving them best. What is the promise of them improving so much that they are not disadvantaged?”