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Linda Lockett, with son Benjamin, is campaigning to keep Ash Grove Primary School open.
Mum’s school closure fight is tribute to staff
by Chris Morris17/ 9/2008
A MOSS Estate mum whose son’s education was "rescued" by Ash Grove teachers is now on a mission to return the favour.
Linda Lockett is throwing her weight behind the campaign to save the Macclesfield primary school, joining the army of parents and pupils opposed to its closure.
Linda, 51, of Eaton Lane, said: "Benjamin has benefited enormously from the school – it would be a travesty if it closed."
Her son was diagnosed with behavioural problems aged eight and Linda claims without the help of his teachers, he risked being forgotten by the education system.
And with closure looming under county hall’s Transforming Learning Communities scheme, the mother-of-nine is keen for her son to remain at Ash Grove.
"We work as a team – the school and us. They don’t just treat him as a naughty boy but realise that there’s an underlying problem. So they got a psychologist in who can see what the trouble is and help him," she said. "It would be a travesty if it closed down because he has come on leaps and bounds – all because of their hard work. I hope and pray it stays open. He will be going to high school next year, and I’m sure there will be occasional blips, but they have prepared him for the challenges that lie ahead."
Linda and car park supervisor husband Ian, 55, moved Benjamin, the youngest of nine, to Ash Grove when he was five.
He is the fourth of the couple’s children to have gone to the Belgrave Road school. But now his loving parents are preparing to fight to keep the school open.
Linda added: "It’s really important that future generations of kids from the Moss can benefit like our Benjamin did. I have already written a letter to Cheshire County Council pleading with them to not shut it. I will definitely be supporting the campaign to save it."
Benjamin, who will be going to Macclesfield High School next year, said: "I don’t want it to close, it has helped me a lot. I hope the school will stay open for other children so they can help them like they helped me."
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22/09/2008 at 23:45
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23/09/2008 at 11:35