The decision by Dudley Council to close Cradley High is set to be investigated by the Government.

Members of the Cradley High Campaign Committee, together with local MPs Lynda Waltho and Sylvia Heal, met with Schools Minister Jim Knight when he visited Stourbridge on Wednesday.

They claim the minister is now preparing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the closure of the Homer Hill school after listening to their grievances.

Mike Parsons, spokesman for the group, said: "Now we have been able to put the case to the Minister we hope he will be able to investigate how the situation was handled by Dudley LEA.

"We have not been happy with their actions from the start."

Campaigners are angry at what they claim was a flawed consultation process and a failure to ensure displaced pupils had adequate places in alternative schools.

Lynda Waltho, MP for Stourbridge, said the minister had expressed his concern some pupils were yet to start at their new schools. She said: "The minister asked us to send all of our documentation on the matter and said he would make sure it was looked into. I am glad we were able to arrange the meeting. It was long overdue."

Sylvia Heal MP said it had been a mistake not to include Cradley High in the Secondary Schools reorganisation consultation. She said: "The problems have been widely felt in the local community and will be for some time."

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services, said consultation procedure had been followed to the letter.

Cllr Walker said: "We gave the people of Cradley every opportunity to make their views known. The schools organisation committee made a unanimous decision to close the school."

John Freeman, director of children's services, said: "We understand they have asked for an investigation and are happy to cooperate with it."

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