The petition, which I am proud to put before the House, concerns the Croxteth community comprehensive school in my Constituency. The school is in a very disadvantaged area, and it does not surprise me that there are more than 3,000 signatures on the petition. They are, of course, the signatures of parents and teachers, but not exclusively so. Many people in the local community take pride in the school. Croxteth has been in the news in these difficult times because of social problems—it is the area, incidentally, in which the youngster, Rhys Jones, was shot—and the people there are very proud to have this community comprehensive school. They have therefore got together and signed this petition. I am sure that, if it is listened to and acted upon sympathetically by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and by the local authority in Liverpool, that will be appreciated not only by the head teacher, who has plans for expanding the school's role in the community, but by the 3,000 signatories, who represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of the people who are supporting the school.

The petition states:

The petition of Parents Against Closure and other supporters of Croxteth community comprehensive,

Declares that Croxteth Community Comprehensive, a specialist college for business and enterprise, has been earmarked for closure; notes that the college plays a vital role in the local community; and further declares that the proposed closure of the college would be highly detrimental to the local community and at odds with Liverpool's role as the European Capital of Culture.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to take action and engage with the local authorities to ensure that Croxteth Community Comprehensive remains open and continues to be able to serve its community.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000319]