PARENTS may be dismayed at tonight's revelations that some Bolton primary schools may have to close because there are too many empty desks dotted around the borough.

Every local primary school will be scrutinised to find the best way of dealing with thousands of spare places. Deputy director of education Mr Terry Piggott has already warned of drastic measures because it is impossible to expand or improve popular schools, or build new primaries where they are needed, because other local schools have spare places.

Although reducing infant class sizes will help, a major full-scale review is the only way forward. Shutting half-empty schools will not fix it. More drastic action will need to be taken to ensure that all parents can choose schools close to home in the Millennium.

This is not a simple matter, and it needs a proper appraisal to arrive at a reasonable answer. What is vital, however, is that parents are fully consulted on all aspects of any changes. And that the future of individual schools is not left hanging in the balance, to the detriment of all.

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