A weekly newspaper which broke the story of a 400-year-old school’s planned closure has backed a campaign to save it.
The Whitehaven News broke the story of the closure notice placed on St Bees School online and on social media on 13 March.
Following an overwhelming public response to the decision, various campaigns have been launched to save the private school – under the banner #savestbeesschool – which have received the support of the team at The News.
Governors have blamed the school’s finances, due to the global recession, and declining pupil numbers for the decision.
The News broke the story of the closure notice placed on St Bees School online and on social media, and splashed on the campaign in Thursday’s edition, pictured above.
St Bees, based in the Cumbrian village of the same name, was founded by Archbishop of Canterbury Edmund Grindal in 1587.
It counts actor Rowan Atkinson and current England rugby union head coach Stuart Lancaster as former pupils.
Whitehaven News editor Colin Edgar said: “The closure of St Bees School would be devastating to its pupils, staff and the wider community.
“It is steeped in history and is the core of the village. We will continue to do all we can to support those campaigning for its future.”
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Slightly off subject, but referring to the drink offer below the masthead; how do you ‘win’ something that is virtually guarenteed by implication that it is for every reader?
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I’m sending a couple of quid and urge colleagues in the local and regional newspaper industry to support this cause.
St Bees today, Hogwarts, Greyfriars and Dotheboys Hall tomorrow.
Mind you – it could make a super McCarthy & Stone or a Warners Leisure Hotel?
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Oh dear, dear. Unthinking knee jerk comment from confused. Are you so detached as to have no idea of the impact of the closure of a school on the entire local community? Jobs and livelihoods in a village that revolves round the school. And that is apart from the kids whose lives and education are disrupted. Well done to the Whitehaven news for supporting its own community. But isn’t that what local newspapers should always do.
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