Schools close the doors for good in sad farewell (From Wirral Globe)

Schools close the doors for good in sad farewell

9:03am Thursday 20th July 2006 in Search By Frances Earlam

AN EMOTIONAL rollercoaster of sadness and laughter filled the last week of term for two Wirral schools as they closed their doors not just for the summer, but for the very last day.

Children at both The Dell Primary in Rock Ferry and Vyner Primary in Bidston spent last week saying goodbye to their school, friends and teachers as they head to new schools in September.

The schools were forced to close after a review of primary schools in Birkenhead by the LEA following a fall in pupils on school rolls in Wirral and an increase in the number of surplus places.

Pupils, parents, governors and teachers at The Dell and at Vyner fought gallantly to keep their schools open but the fate of the schools was sealed at a meeting of the School Organisation Committee in February.

But last week, faced with upheaval and tears the children, their parents and teachers put on their bravest faces to celebrate the life of their school.

At The Dell teachers have spent the past two months helping children prepare for the move to their new schools.

“The children have visited their new schools a couple of times now and met their new classmates and teachers so they feel less fearful about the unknown now.”

Jan MacKinnon

Acting headteacher Jan MacKinnon said: "The BEST (Behaviour Education Support Team) put together a booklet entitled Our School is Closing' for the children where we focussed on looking forward.

"We wanted to get the children used to the idea. We want them to know they have a right to feel sad but that they can embrace the move.

"The children have visited their new schools a couple of times now and met their new classmates and teachers so they feel less fearful about the unknown now."

Children at The Dell performed in a concert for the LEA on Tuesday and for parents and governors on Wednesday.

Pupils have been looking back over the 74 years of the school which opened in 1932, speaking to former pupils and looking through school records.

Eleven-year-old Sammy Beech said: "We looked at books from people who used to be here and photos too."

Emily Weedon added: "Ex-pupils who were here during the war came in and spoke to the school council and we saw a video of the school during the war."

Former pupils and staff were also able to take a trip down memory lane on Wednesday when old school books and photos were set up in a special archive room. Mrs MacKinnon said: "Everyone who dropped in to say goodbye to the school said it looked beautiful and thought the concert was very poignant.

"The children sang from their hearts and were crying.

"It was very emotional but also very rewarding to see them celebrate the school."

At Vyner, teachers distracted children from the school's closure on Tuesday when they had a celebration party with a picnic, face painting and bouncy castles and invited former students, teachers and governors.

But on Friday tears were shed in the final assembly.

Headteacher Alison Kershaw said: "On Tuesday we just wanted to enjoy being together and have had some lovely activities for the last week.

"We have been trying to be positive rather than dwell on the past.

"In the assembly on Friday I was presented with a photo of all the children in the school which is a lovely memento.

"I have been at Vyner for 11 years and I have many happy memories.

"I've got to know many families along the way and am starting to see the children of the people I taught.

"It has been wonderful. The children are so good and I'm very proud of them."