YOUR correspondent K A Roworth is correct to emphasise the importance of green space to city dwellers (June 4), but that must include the children of Leeman Road.

The opportunity to enhance the quality of their education by moving St Barnabas School to a beautiful site between the church and the river should not be missed.

St Peter's School may be in an old building, but there is no doubt that its prestigious riverside site continues to inspire pupils, contributing to high achievement in, for example, sport and art. Fulford Cross and Queen Anne enjoyed a similar advantage, where the beautiful riverside settings helped create two excellent schools.

As for Scarcroft, that can be seen as a precedent for moving St Barnabas'. Over a century ago the decision to build a school on the edge of Scarcroft Green was controversial.

Fortunately for generations of York pupils, our Victorian forefathers had the courage of their convictions and bequeathed to us a building in an inspiring setting.

Sited in the angle between houses and St Barnabas Church, the proposed school building will have minimal impact on the green belt, while there will be community access to the school playing field outside school hours.

With its proximity to the river and its views over green fields to the Minster we can take pride in the fact that future generations will enjoy enhanced educational opportunities irrespective of their parents' ability to pay.

Martin Bartlett,

Bill Fairclough,

Gil Nimmo,

Holgate Ward Councillors,

c/o Scarcroft Road,

York.

Updated: 11:13 Saturday, June 12, 2004