A LAST ditch attempt to save Pensnett High school by ward councillors has failed, after a special committee meeting decides to continue with the closure.

Led by Councillor Tim Crumpton, shadow cabinet member for children’s services, alongside Pensnett ward cllrs Judy Foster and Karen Jordan and Netherton cllr Lynda Coulter, the labour group asked members of the Select Committee for Children’s Services to scrutinise the decision to close the Tiled House Lane school.

During the meeting, cllrs questioned Liz Walker and Mark Wyatt, Director of Children’s Services about the decision and demanded answers and reassurances about what would happen to the pupils if the closure was upheld.

But after two and a half hours of deliberations, the committee voted to confirm cllr Waker’s decision to close the school on August 31, with a majority vote of six councillors. Four members abstained from the vote.

Agreeing with cllr Walker, committee member cllr Sue Greenaway said: “I have lived in Pensnett for a good few years and the school has always had issues. My children were due to go to that school and I chose to send them elsewhere. This is long over due.”

Further public consultations will now take place until the decision is refered to Cabinet and then Full Council in March.