Regarding the possible closure of Burnholme Community College, I can only agree with all the positive remarks made in recent letters.

As a parent of two children at the school, what I cannot understand is the logic for even starting this debate. From what I understand, Fulford, Archbishop Holgate’s and Huntington Schools are all full.

Two large housing developments are planned, Germany Beck in Fulford consisting of 700 plus houses and Derwenthorpe (540 houses), which actually borders Burnholme College. Surely some children are going to live on these estates. I would have assumed that the Joseph Rowntree Trust would have used the fact that Burnholme had spare capacity as part of its planning application.

It is widely accepted that the fall in numbers is short term and will rise within four to five years. Why else would a post-16 learning centre costing over four million pounds have been built on the east side of the city?

Burnholme is a perfectly good school in exactly the right location within its catchment area. Not one bus or coach is needed to drop off or pick up its students.

For a council that boasts 70 per cent recycling, does it really condone one school providing transport to take children out of Burnholme’s catchment area as and when it suits?

The council should remember that families of senior school children do not make up the majority of the community, yet the majority has to put up with hundreds of unnecessary buses running through their area each year.

It leaves me highly suspicious as to the motives for any possible closure. Burnholme College and all those associated with it deserve much better support than that offered over the last few years.

SE Simpson, Allington Drive, Appletree Village, York.



• Having read numerous articles in The Press regarding the uncertainty of Burnholme College’s future, I felt I must write. I recently attended St Crux where the college was holding a fundraising event and couldn’t help but be impressed by the friendly atmosphere. It appears Burnholme Community College is just that – a community. The stalls and café were being run by pupils, staff, parents, ex-parents and grandparents.

The deputy heads were not above getting involved and were doing the washing up. I was not the only one to be impressed. As I overheard one pupil telling a customer so passionately about the college’s situation, she gave him a tip, which he promptly put in with the takings.

What a travesty it would be to lose a facility that is producing so many pupils with a real passion and positive attitude.

I wish the staff and pupils every success in securing the college’s future.

Kim O’Connell, Main Street, Shipton-by-Beningbrough.