LOCAL councillors have raised concerns about proposals to close Queensway Primary School in Yeadon.

Councillors Paul Wadsworth and Paul Alderson (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward) said the proposed closure risks negatively impacting pupils and schools across the area, including in their own ward of Guiseley and Rawdon, and that a “whole Aireborough” solution was required to manage school places.

They argued it was a mistake for the Council to permanently expand two other local schools some years ago, and questioned why the Council had not acted sooner to address the school places issue.

The councillors were speaking after attending a meeting of local headteachers, governors, and councillors held this week at Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre.

Councillor Paul Wadsworth (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward) said: “I am concerned about the impact that this proposed closure could have on pupils from my ward and indeed those from across Aireborough, particularly the most vulnerable SEND pupils. Closure of the school would be disruptive for many families, and will not resolve the area-wide issue with pupil places.

“In my view the Council made a mistake some years ago when it decided to permanently expand a number of schools, rather than put in temporary classrooms. Now that birth rates have fallen there is a surplus of school places in the area. What is needed now is an Aireborough-wide strategy to address pupil places, but I am concerned the Council has left it too late in the day.”

Councillor Paul Alderson (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward) said: “I am disappointed that the Council did not act sooner to take action on this issue, and that we’re now in a position where the school could face closure. Reducing admission numbers at a range of schools in the area could have helped avoid the agony of a closure consultation that has already seen over 30 pupils leave the school. But such a solution needed to be implemented at least 12 months ago. I also do not understand how the Council has allowed a situation to develop where it appears only 20% of parents in Queensway’s catchment chose the school as their first preference.

“Closing any school should be a last resort. We are urging the Council to find an alternative, and we want to work with local schools to find a solution that is sustainable for the whole of Aireborough.”