Under threat local school hailed as 57th most improved in the country

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 11th Jan 2007

Local Lib Dem campaigner Steve Ayris

One of the two secondary schools under threat of closure from the Labour Council has been hailed as one of the most improved schools in the country. Figures released today have revealed that Wisewood Secondary School is the 57th most improved secondary school in England.

The Guardian newspaper shows the school has seen the percentage of 15 year old pupils achieving Level 2 threshold (GCSE and Equivalent) increase to 59%. That equates to a huge 27% improvement since 2003.

The news will come as a boost to local parents and residents who have been campaigning against the Labour Council in order to save the school. Despite this Labour still plan to close Wisewood School as part of their plan for education the North West of the city.

The plan includes closing both Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools and then opening a new school on the Myers Grove site. The local Liberal Democrats have put forward an alternative solution to go to Government with which involves making Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools smaller through new build.

Cllr Paul Scriven with campaigners

Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: - "Pupils, staff and parents at Wisewood should be congratulated on their achievements over the last few years which has seen the school hailed as the 57th most improved in the country. But bizarrely Labour are still planning to close the school despite these superb improvements and a vocal campaign from local parents"

"Labours plan to close the 57th most improved school in the country doesn't make sense. The plans are flawed and pupils at both Wisewood and Myers Grove will suffer if they go through. Labour are putting other concerns before ensuring a decent education for our young people"

"Labour bosses now have to get on board with our suggested solution to have two new smaller schools at both Wisewood and Myers Grove. They must be willing to fight for what local people want, even if that means standing up to their own Government"

Note: - See link which shows Wisewood as joint 57th most improved secondary school

<http://education.guardian.co.uk/secondaries/tables/0,,1987226,00.html>