THE planned closure of Longsight Primary School will continue despite strong criticism from opposition councillors.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors demanded to know exactly why the Harwood school had been earmarked for closure and claimed education chiefs had given conflicting explanations.

At yesterday's heated Education and Culture Scrutiny Committee which attracted many Longsight parents and staff, opposition councillors argued that there had not been a sufficient consultation process with schools or churches in Harwood.

Conservative Cllr Alan Wilkinson said: "I've only gone along with this because I thought all the schools had been fully consulted, but it's too late now, there is not enough time for the schools to discuss proposals such as merging."

Local Education Authority officials argued that as far back as January 2000 special co-ordinators were sent to the Hough Fold Way school in a bid to improve standards because it was feared special measures might be brought in and that many man-hours were spent trying to help the school.

However, Liberal Democrat Cllr Margaret Rothwell, said: "Why did all these experts have such little affect on the school?

"Customers are normally very important to the council, so why not in this issue?

"Are the childrens' lives being blighted by being taught there?

"The parents all seem to be happy customers, so does that make them stupid?"

Liberal Democrat Cllr David Wilkinson said: "If we haven't turned the school around, then we've failed as well - how did we get to this situation?"

Executive member for Education, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: "Most schools which are performing normally get half a day per term in help, so Longsight has had an inordinate amount of time given to it."

The director of education, Margaret Blenkinsop, explained that the falling intake number could not be divorced from the special measures issue and claimed that Longsight would not be facing the threat of closure if it had filled all available places.

She also said the LEA had asked Harwood schools to consider merger proposals some time ago, but claimed that none of the heads or governing bodies had been interested.

Conservative councillors will still be demanding the Longsight issue is debated at full council, despite being outvoted at yesterday's meeting.