A HARD-FOUGHT battle by parents and pupils at a York school was drawing to a close today after councillors backed its closure.

Education Secretary David Blunkett will now be asked to approve the closure of Queen Anne School, which seems likely to shut its doors for the last time in the year 2000.

With only 300 pupils in its classrooms, education committee councillors meeting last night said they believed it was no longer viable and could not provide the same standard of equipment and facilities as other schools in the city.

Councillor Janet Looker, who chairs the education committee, told members it was always difficult to take the decision to close a school but it seemed the only option. "The closure of a school is very sad and not a decision that is ever taken lightly," she said.

"It is a very painful decision to have to make but such a small school is just not viable and cannot offer what other schools in the area do.

"We looked at every possible option before reaching this decision and I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of the staff.

"The whole thrust and rationale behind this is to ensure the quality of education and that cannot be done in a school with so few pupils."

The final decision on the fate of the school rests with the Mr Blunkett, who is expected to make his views known by September 1999 following another period of public consultation, which will begin in January.

Some preparations have already been made for the closure of the school, with letters being sent to parents asking them which school they would prefer their children to be transferred to.

The majority have chosen Canon Lee, which the council had formerly hoped could be merged with Queen Anne - but that proposal was turned down by Mr Blunkett.

Councillors say it is now important for staff and pupils to look to the future and say they will be working alongside governors and teachers to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Support will also be given to Queen Anne teachers to help them find new jobs.

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