Council urged to halt plans to shut Yeadon primary school over pupils' mental health
The future of Queensway Primary in Yeadon will be debated by councillors after it faced closure for the second time in three years.
The council will be urged to suspend plans to close a primary school amid concerns over pupils’mental health.
The future of Queensway Primary in Yeadon will be debated by councillors after it faced closure for the second time in three years.
Leeds City Council has said a budget deficit and dwindling pupil numbers meant the school could close at the end of the current term.
Otley and Yeadon Liberal Democrat councillor Ryk Downes has called for a re-think in a motion to the next full council meeting on Wednesday (March 26).
Coun Downes raised concerns over the provision of services for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the Aireborough district.
The motion said: “Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of all pupils.”
Closure of Queensway Primary was first proposed in 2022, but not carried out after an outcry from parents.
The council said there were currently just 72 pupils enrolled at the school, which has a maximum intake of 210.
It means the school on Coppice Wood Avenue faces a £1.3m budget deficit by 2028.
Efforts to find an academy trust willing to take over the school were unsuccessful.
The council’s executive board is expected to make a final decision on the school’s future at its June meeting.
Coun Downes’ motion said: “The proposal will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers and costs in Aireborough.
“As the problems are an Aireborough-wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically.”
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