PM won't fight for school despite fond memories

John Key's class in 1971. He is on the left.

Prime Minister John Key says he cannot get involved in the fight to save his old primary from being closed but the school hopes his prominence will at least ensure it has a fighting chance.

Aorangi School in Christchurch must convince Education Minister Anne Tolley that it should stay open and is worth the $2.62 million needed to replace its run-down buildings.

The low-decile school, located among much wealthier school districts, caters to a diverse range of "unique" and vulnerable children, said principal Stephanie Thompson.

"It's a bit like having a Mangere school in the middle of Ponsonby.

"[Closing it] will leave a lot of students with no place to go really."

Mrs Thompson said the school did not expect Mr Key to show favouritism.

"All we have ever said is this is the sort of person a school like ours can produce, and that's awesome."

Mr Key has fond memories of his time at Aorangi - such as when the bell once fell on his head when he was the bell monitor.

He told the Herald the threat of closure was a "challenging" situation, but the school's future had to be decided in the appropriate way.

His spokeswoman said: "It would be inappropriate for the Prime Minister to get involved in the process that is now under way. No decision has yet been made and the interests of local children will be taken into account before a decision is made."

Andrew Oh, of the school's board of trustees, said while he respected Mr Key's position, his connection to the school was still important.

"If he has a role it's ... that it keeps us in the news and gives us an opportunity to put our case," Mr Oh said.

"It's our luck that he is an old boy."

Mrs Tolley said that in addition to the $2.62 million needed for the school buildings, its roll was falling and the pupils could be served by other schools in northwest Christchurch.

Mrs Thompson argued that the roll had long been steady at around 100 pupils, and had dropped off only since last year because of delays in getting the money earmarked for crucial repairs.

She doubted high-decile schools nearby could cope with the social and behavioural problems of many of her pupils.

The school has until August 10 to put its case to the minister.