By Jane Bullock

jbullock@boltoneveningnews.co.uk

LONGSIGHT School parents have welcomed plans for responsibility for their children's education to be switched to another set of teachers.

The parents are in favour of the move which will see the youngsters become Harwood Meadows Primary School pupils -- yet remain in Longsight's Hough Fold Way buildings.

The plans are expected to come into force in September, and are being undertaken at the suggestion of the Local Education Authority.

They have been suggested as a way of causing minimum disruption to pupils.

However, the future of Longsight staff remains in doubt as all youngsters will be taught by Harwood Meadows teachers.

Harwood Meadows headteacher, Joanne Booth, will be in overall charge of both sites.

Longsight's chairman of governors, Keith Elcoat, held a successful meeting with Bolton Council's director of education, Margaret Blenkinsop, and the executive member for education, Cllr Linda Thomas, to discuss the implications of a split-site school.

Mr Elcoat, who has headed a strong campaign to stop the school closing, was pleased that the Local Education Authority had taken a positive move to help the children.

He said: "Most parents are happy with this idea and it's very similar to a proposal I made to the LEA about merging with Hardy Mill.

"I think the LEA has moved quite a long way from its original plans in proposing this."

He added: "It's the best deal we could have hoped for because even if Longsight had continued, we would have faced a pupils' numbers problem in the next few years."

Head of Harwood Meadows, Joanne Booth, said: "We hope parents will choose Harwood Meadows on the Longsight site -- they will be very welcome and be a full part of the school."

Cllr Thomas said: "The opportunity to include Longsight as part of Harwood Meadows is a very positive move. This will benefit the Longsight children, who can stay where they are, within familiar surroundings and offers further development opportunities for Harwood Meadows pupils as well as the wider community."

The Schools Organisation Committee will make the final decision on the future of Longsight next month.

SITE TO STAY?: Longsight Primary building is set to remain