THE head teacher of a York secondary school facing closure has told the council that there is still time to reconsider their decision.

City of York Council’s cabinet met last week to decide the fate of Burnholme Community College and opted for a phased closure of the school, which with a roll of only 270, is the city’s smallest state secondary.

City of York Council said running costs would be at least £580,000 a year, with every other York secondary school subsidising it by between £60,000 and £70,000.

Public notices proposing the closure of Burnholme have now been published and there is a six-week period to allow representations before full council makes a final decision.

If Burnholme closes, current Year 9 to 11 students would complete their studies there while Year 7 and 8 students would move to new schools in 2013 and 2014.

Burnholme head Simon Gumn said: “Last Tuesday, students and parents witnessed passion and well-presented reasons why the question about our school demanded further debate and then witnessed no debate and the motion being passed without further ado.

“I am confident that the Parents Action Group will now no doubt write a document detailing their oppositions and I would urge anyone who wishes to see secondary education provision remain in this community to write in detailing their objections.”

Meanwhile, Burnholme pupils, staff and parents will hold an evening of music to protest against the decision to close their school.

Dawn Leatt, chairman of the parent action group against the closure, said: “We have been working with music teacher Sue Williamson to host an event which will be an entertaining and rousing evening of song and also a chance to show solidarity.

“Pupils, staff and parents will be able to express their feelings through song. Although many people are angry and sad, we are also still hopeful as we have an excellent case for appeal against the Council’s decision.”

Mrs Williamson said: “We have hosted lots of performances over the past few years, but this is the most important in my opinion as it is a chance to show the council just how much people love this school.”

Thursday’s event will be held at the school from 6.30pm. Tickets are on sale at the school and cost £1 for pupils and £2 for adults.