WORRIED Bootle parents fear the planned closure of St George of England High School will “tear the heart out of their community”. Sefton Council approved a plan in principle late last year that would shut the school on August 31, 2013, as part of their £80m Building Schools for the Future programme which will expand Hillside High on Breeze Hill. St George of England pupils will then move to Hillside or Litherland High, which has already received £23m of the government cash. However, there is a growing sense of disquiet amongst parents who are concerned that the decision to wind up the school will undermine their community's identity. Their committee, which formed on Tuesday evening during a meeting at the school on Fernhill Road, contacted the Bootle Times to help their campaign. Angela Deaves, of Grogan Square, has witnessed her two eldest daughter’s pass through the school and Katie, 12, her youngest child, currently attends the school. She said: “We have been told that the school will close because of spare capacity – there is room for over 700 pupils but there are only 411 there today. “I just think this is so short term. Once the Klondyke estate is redeveloped the area will hopefully be attracting new families. “The decision could really undermine the identity of our community, and as a home-owner I am concerned about the effect on property. “We all know that people like to buy houses that are near a school. “And as a mother I am also concerned for my own daughter, who will be facing her examinations when the school closes. Instability and change is not good at that age. “We hear that the pupils will all be sent over to Hillside, but will there be enough room? “St George of England is a proper community school, with a pensioners bingo once a month. “I left the school in the 1980s and it loved everyday there. If I could turn back the clock I would.” | 
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