AN historic school, which is one of a number being considered for closure by education chiefs, is still championing community needs.

Despite having survived two World Wars St John's at Mosley Common -- which dates back nearly 200 years -- could be closed because of falling birth rates in the school's catchment areas.

St John's was founded in 1822 by subscription and began as a Sunday School.

Rev Julian Hartley, Vicar of Mosley Common, said the school has always had close links with St John's church.

"The school started as a Sunday School. It was one of the earliest schools of its kind. Children who worked in the mills and pits did not go to school and it was founded by the church as a means of educating them.

"Sunday School was very different from today. The children studied reading, writing and arithmetic. The only day children could study was on a Sunday."

The school was actually built before the parish and for the children of 1822, the only available text book was the Bible.

The present school building is not on the original site and is about 100 years old but the original foundation stone is still part of the playground wall and many records and archives charting the historic school are still kept in the parish.

Now the school, along with several others in the area, is under threat but Mr Hartley says along with the church it is still championing the needs of the local community.

Community

"Once again the church is looking at how we can use the building to meet the needs of parents and children in the community. We are hoping to fill the surplus number of places by increasing early years provision at the school."

However, if the school were to close there maybe limitations as to what the land could be used for.

Documents unearthed recently showed there could be an obscure clause forbidding the building from being used for the brewery business!

It is thought the clause was put in at the insistence of the former owners of the neighbouring King William public house.

June 1939 an extract from old Church magazine written by the then Vicar Dr Robert Kee as the school was in the process of being modernised;

A good school is the best evidence of the loyal and enthusiastic churchmen and women of a parish. The foundation is laid in school. There was a good deal in the old tag that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. Certainly the battle of the Church is won in Church schools.

We must get into our heads that we are a big family with a mission for the world and an affection for one another. I am wholly of the opinion a true Christian constitution is the very means of approach to world peace and world happiness, and I am certain the seeds for such a constitution must be sown in the parish, beginning in the local school.

This is our opportunity and let us not miss it. We are preparing a building, and maintaining an educational foundation that will redound to our credit in years to come.