In response to Iains comment about the catchement areas of these schools

I was present (as a pupil) at a pupil meeting many years ago when the last DSC made a decision of this nature.

Cathedral RC covered Pendleton, Broughton and Ordsall - and was cornered into amalgamation with St Lawrences in Weaste (Now all hallows) due to a question of Numbers - the land was sold off by the council (Surprise Surprise)

Then a few years down the line the same thing happened again! - the councils spin doctors forcing another amalgamation - with Pope John Paul II HS....Another central salford school.

I STILL remember the letters of 'condolence' from Heads from other Highs...published in the advertiser (OOH!)

Then (as Now) those schools who were saved from closure used the time cynically as a way of propping up their own standing in the community.

"Mounts is closing is it?...Come to St Pats/Georges/any other 'safe school name here'"

Those who were saved from the chop crowed away justifying their glorified position and hovered like vultures ready to pounce as the school in danger went seemingingly into chaos.

I DO have some empathy with the students of St Georges. Having the threat of closure hanging over a school is Not acceptible in any case...particularly when you have young minds preparing for examinations.

To the council i say this...rationally and logically. If the school isn't failing and the feeder schools continue to supply enough pupils...keep it open, but lets not shut another school so it can be flogged off like the family silver to a private developer

(BTW, Do the residents on the nice posh flats at Middlewood st like living next to a scrapyard?)

   Theressa, I'm not missing the point- I am simply raising another one in that the Deputy Headteacher is stooping low and that the Advertiser are playing along. Like I said I have no wish for a successful school to close.

   WELL ............ YOU ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO .............

VOTE LABOUR OUT OF OFFICE AT THIS WEEKS LOCAL ELECTIONS !!!!

   Brian, I've looked at the catchment area for St George's in some depth and you couldn't be more wrong.

The vast majority of St George's pupils come from Little Hulton and north Walkden. The school provides a first-class education for pupils from some of the most deprived areas of the City.

In any case, what difference does it make where the school is? It's an excellent, oversubscribed school at the heart of the local community - something worth preserving regardless of how affluent the surroundings are, surely?

   Baz, you are completely missing the point. The whole affair concerning BSF, in Salford, is a 'dirty' mess to use your articulate manner. Why don't the Council come clean over their plan? What is the real reason for closing the doors on success? The Council have done nothing more than 'wipe their hands' and hidden from 'the mess' they've made. It's sad you cannot see the truth from behind your 'dirty' windows.

   I don't remember there being such a furore when Salford Council closed the catholic high schools during the 80s and 90s - but then again the affluent areas of Eccles and Worsley weren't being touched.

Then - proposals for closure were rubber stamped by councillors on governing bodies acting for the Local Authority

Nothing was said in protest as St Lawerences swallowed up both Cathedral & Pope John Paul one by one leading to a chaotic sitation as a superschool was created at one site (the Business College)

And now the council, want their paws on St Georges? suddenly there's cries of injustice!!!

Perhaps Mr Merry/Ms Garrido would like to direct their respective ideas as to some positive moves for catholic schools in the area before always considering closure.

   "This was not a political event.A group of four schoolgirls wanted to hand in a box of red roses to the council." What a load of tosh! Of course it was political and shame on you Mr Deputy Headteacher for claiming anything else. I don't want any successful school to close down without good reason but this campaign is getting dirty and with the full biased support of the Advertiser will ensure that the council dig in their heels. Besides its not an little-known law. Anyone who organises events for the council during election run up must ensure that it is politically neutral.

   The Council's statement that it would be unlawful is complete garbage. The purdah guidelines for councils are a code of conduct, not law. In any case - they seem quite happy to have their officers put out stories helpful to Labour and to use council resources to promote themselves.

Using the excuse of the law like this is a smokescreen to hide their cowardice.

   It hardly needs to be repeated but every voter in Salford who wants to save St. George's should slay the Labour dragon at the ballot box next Thursday!