Closure-threatened Wakeman School to be lit up again

Shrewsbury's under-threat Wakeman School will be lit up for the second time in a week tomorrow night as county education chiefs arrive for an important meeting.

Digital media artist Andy McKeown, who has designed some of Blackpool's illuminations, will be using his projector to display a live rolling electronic petition plus a pop art image of school pupils Gemma Exelby and Matthew Davies holding protest placards.

The light show will be staged as officials from Shropshire Council arrive at the school to deliver a presentation as part of its consultation over plans to close nine county schools, including the Wakeman.

Karen Moore, headteacher at Wakeman School, said: "The projection onto the school is of gigantic proportions, reflecting the sheer size of the artwork and the huge number of people who have supported our campaign. Throughout this entire process we have been staggered by the support of pupils, former pupils, parents, staff, governors and the local community.

"We hope that the projection, together with the numerous mock 'For Sale' signs outside the building, will encourage more people to attend the consultation meeting."

The event is due to start at 6.30pm tomorrow night and everyone is welcome to attend.

Andy Rayment, chairman of governors at the school, said he would be urging everyone with an interest in the school to join tomorrow's meeting.

He said: "This is our one chance to meet face to face with the people who have put forward these proposals.

"As a community we need to show the strength of our feeling and stop the planned closure of the school going ahead."