PARENTS battling against the closure of their children's school in Southampton have set up a campaign group to save it.

A total of 50 mums and dads have already signed up to The Save Harefield Schools Action Group.

They are circulating a petition against the closure of the 180-place Harefield Infant School and its amalgamation with the 238-place Harefield Junior School next door.

education bosses have proposed to build the new 210-place primary school on the existing junior site by September next year, to remove 208 places at the two schools.

It's part of an overall strategy to remove a total of 361 surplus places across the Bitterne and Townhill Park areas because of dwindling birth rates.

They also agreed to reduce the number of places at Beechwood Junior from 360 to 240 and save the 180-place Moorlands Infant from closure by turning it into a 210-place primary.

Head teacher Shirley Lewis has already spoken out against the two schools' amalgamation and now parents, governors and local residents are backing her.

Parent governor Steve Morrison is spearheading the new action group and has distributed "Save our School" car stickers as well as enlist the support of ex-pupils via the Friends Reunited website.

The group has even sponsored a racing pigeon which they have named Harry the Harefield Pigeon as their mascot.

"We hope his winning streak will rub off on the campaign," said Mr Morrison, whose six-year-old daughter Bethany is a pupil at the school.

"I have been a resident of Harefield for 35 years and the school was good enough for me and good enough for pupils over the past 50 years. I feel that every community should have enough school places for its children, particularly at Key Stages One and Two."

The parents argue that the school should not be closed after it was praised by Ofsted inspectors for its good teaching and pupils' excellent progress.

They have calculated that over the last five years at least £622,000 has been spend on a roof, extension and refurbishments.

After six years of planning and fundraising a sensory play trail costing £26,000 is due to officially open next month to be used as an outdoor classroomand provide a haven for pupils, many of whom live in flats with no gardens.

The school has until May 12 to oppose the proposal when the school organisation committee, with representatives from the local education authority, governing bodies and churches, will make a final decision.

However, if they cannot reach a unanimous decision a government-appointed school adjudicator will make a final decision.

The final changes will come into force in September 2006.

PROPOSALS:

Moorlands Infant (180 places) to become a one class of entry primary (210 places)

Beechwood Junior (360 places) to reduce in size to 240 places

Harefield Infant (180 places) and Junior (238 places) to amalgamate as one class of entry primary (210 places).