‘Please don’t close my school’

Little Gary Malcolm handed over a letter to the Board’s chief executive Stanton Sloan during a protest by parents, children and politicians at the Board headquarters this week.

In his letter Gary, who is in P3 at the Lisburn school, said: “Don’t close Knockmore because my teacher reads me stories and I don’t want it to end.”

He also told Mr Sloan about the fun he has playing with his friends at the school and added: “I never want it to end until I am in High School.”

Gary’s mother Meta Sheldon-Malcolm said she was very proud of her son. “We had a protest at the SEELB at which there was a fantastic turnout of parents, children and politicians,” she explained.

“Councillor Ronnie Crawford had posters printed for us and the Mayor said a few words to us and asked that Mr Sloan come out to us.

“At first he didn’t want to but we told him we would be non-confrontational. He came out and accepted a petition and Gary’s letter, which was written entirely off his own bat.

“Gary decided he wanted to present it to Mr Sloan himself,” she continued. “He is only 6 years old so you can imagine just how proud I am of his bravery.

“I have two other sons Matthew and Jack, who also go to the school. They suggested we make thank-you cards for both Mr Crawford and the Mayor for speaking on their behalf. They also suggested the whole school should sign them.”