PARENTS vented their frustration as cabinet members decided to close their children’s school.

Five members voted unanimously in favour of the proposed closure of Northview Primary School at last night’s cabinet panel meeting at the civic offices.

The news was met in the council chamber with calls of “biased”, “who’s surprised” and “there’s a shock” from members of the public.

Earlier in the evening children, some wearing ‘We love Northview’ t-shirts, and parents had pleaded their case to the panel.

The decision was made primarily based on a forecast of surplus places at Northview over the next three years.

Coun Fionuala Foley, deputy leader of the council, picturedm, said: “The current and increasing surplus places in Highworth will lead to a poor use of resources for all the schools in the borough and closure of Northview was the best way to address this issue.”

The school, at The Dormers, Highworth, will now close on August 31 and pupils will move to Highworth’s Westrop Primary School, which will expand by 105 places.

During the meeting parents argued that the school was put in this position by the threat of closure.

They also alleged that the council had not followed consultation procedure guidelines set down by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

They expressed fears for their children’s safety, getting to a school farther away.

Parent Lesley Uzzell asked why the school was to shut when the regional spatial strategy policy was to build 12,000 homes in the rural areas of Swindon by 2026 meaning more school spaces would inevitably be required in Highworth.

A statutory consultation held between November and December last year received 537 objections and only three letters in support of the closure.

Coun Foley stressed that the decision had not been made based on academic performance, only surplus numbers.

Council projections show numbers on the roll for Northview, which was 68 in September 2009, will drop to 32 by September 2013, which would leave a surplus capacity of 84.8 per cent.

Deputy leader of the council Coun Foley said cabinet members had walked the route between the two schools.

She added that no decision had been made about the future of the Northview site.

Stating the cabinet’s conclusions she said: “It’s not considered that the closure of Northview would not have a detrimental effect on the services available.

“Before and after school activities are also available in the other schools within the Higghworth community.

“The distance and nature of the journey aren’t considered unreasonable.”

Ian Bickerton, director of accesss and provision, said that DCSF procedures had been followed and Northview children would have a choice where they were relocated to.

Gwllam Lloyd, head of highway network management, said a report had been conducted considering a variety of scenarios which had found the closure of the school would not be detrimental to traffic.

He said creating a pedestrian crossing on the A361 near Crane Furlong would be feasible.

After the meeting, Mrs Uzzell, who is part of the Northview Action group, said: “I’m not surprised, I’m disappointed, we just hoped they would see sense.”

Mandy Kelhan, 42, of Knowlands, who has a six-year-old daughter Tiffany at the school, said: “I’m gutted, really gutted, we’re not surprised. I thought we did have a chance.

“If they can make the decision in there tonight, they need to book an appointment at Northview School and tell the children what it means.”