A WAR of words has exploded between two Highworth schools, as plans to close a primary reach judgement day.

A headteacher in the town said her school was in danger if threatened Northview Primary School was allowed to stay open.

Swindon Council is proposing to shut Northview because of shrinking pupil numbers and expand Westrop Primary instead.

Its head Janet Urban has spoken out in the school newsletter suggesting one school cannot survive if they both stay open.

“Keeping Northview open could have a detrimental effect on our numbers, our budget and our school,” she said.

But parents of Northview pupils who have been fighting to save the school say both primaries should stay open and they do not want Westrop to suffer.

“As a group we have sought at all times to fight for parental choice and the future of all schools in Highworth,” said the Supporting Northview group in a statement.

“We have taken a long term view of what is best for Highworth and are not fighting to save Northview at the expense of other schools.

“It is disappointing to note that not all schools in the town have chosen to represent the facts in the same even handed way.”

Only 70 pupils are expected to attend Northview in September, according to the council and only one new pupil has been offered a place.

Tonight a special cabinet meeting is taking place to decide the primary’s fate.

By 2013, there is expected to be 25 per cent surplus school places in Highworth.

“Although it is difficult for Northview, its parents, pupils and staff something must be done within the community of Highworth to ensure that all schools do not suffer due to lack of numbers,” said Mrs Urban.

“A school achieves its finance from pupil numbers and 30 children per class are required for a budget to cover the cost of a teacher and teacher assistant.

“Therefore if a school has reduced numbers, the budget will not cover the cost of seven classes. A situation we do not want to find ourselves in at Westrop.”

Closing Northview would save the council £60,000. Its head teacher and staff are at risk of redundancy if the school is closed but the council pledges to help find them other jobs in the town.

The council has already visited Westrop to look at its site and facilities but any expansion is unlikely until September 10 after the consultation process.

Mrs Urban defended her statement in the school’s newsletter after the Adver contacted her. She said: “The governing body and I have written the article in the Westrop Primary School newsletter as a response to many questions asked by the parents of children at Westrop.

“We have a duty to keep them informed of the facts, from our perspective, as Northview parents are entitled to do the same. If anyone would like to see the full newsletter which supports the need to act as a community for the benefit of all the children in Highworth, please look at our school website.”

So far 1,500 people have signed a petition to save Northview.