WORRIED parents are pleading with Swindon Council not to close Windmill Hill Primary School.

Under council plans to re-organise education in West Swindon, the school would be closed by 2008, along with Freshbrook Primary, and a new school built on the Freshbrook site.

And at a meeting next Wednesday councillors will decide whether to approve a statutory notice to close the two schools.

If they do decide to close the school the council can also continue with plans to re-build Toothill Primary School.

The council estimates the two new schools will cost £10.7m to build.

According to the council there will be 680 surplus school places across West Swindon schools by 2009 unless they act now. It is also planning to close Salt Way Primary School and extend Shaw Ridge Primary under £4.8m plans.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), the lead member for children's services, said: "The proposal that's now going forward is to close Windmill and build a brand new school on the Freshbrook site . We have listened to what has been said but the windmill hill site is not large enough so it makes sense to build one at Freshbrook.

"It won't be Windmill Hill School or a Freshbrook School, it will be brand new school."

But Windmill Hill parents do not want to see the school shut and say they will campaign to keep it open.

Pamela Durston, 35, of Freshbrook, has two children, at the school.

"There are so many other ways of reducing the places that do not mean closing down this brilliant school," she said.

"What is the point of the council saying they will have a consultation when they do not listen to any of us?

"They want to close a successful school just so they can fund a re-build of Toothill Primary that will only be half-full anyway.

"Surely with all the fiascos surrounding schools they should be proud of ours?

"The teachers at the school are good, it has never failed its Ofsted and most importantly children are happy there.

"When 92 Windmill Hill parents were asked what they wanted, 90 of them said they did not want the school to be closed."

An action committee, West Swindon Parents For Choice, has already been set up and Mrs Durston says if the statutory notice is given to close the school they will increase their campaign.

Mum-of-two Angie Evans, of Freshbrook, has 10-year-old Benjamin at the school.

The 37-year-old said: "I do not think the council have handled this well. They haven't taken notice of any who oppose the closure.

"I don't want the school to close. It's an amazingly good school. We don't need any financial help or help with our building so I don't know why the council are pushing to close us when there are other schools in Swindon in desperate need of help."

Marie Kirkham, 33, of Grange Park, said: "There are so many schools in Swindon that are failing and this is one of the best schools in the town, which is why no one can understand why they want to get rid of it. It makes no sense.

"I don't think the council has the children's best interests at heart. This is all about money.

"I understand the council needs to reduce the number of places in West Swindon Schools but there are options that do not include the closure of Windmill Hill."