PM's school taking closure fight to court

John Key Prime Minister John Key's old primary school is to take its battle against closure to the High Court.

Christchurch's decile three Aorangi School was told last month it would close in January, forcing its 100 pupils to enrol elsewhere. The Education Ministry said the school was no longer cost-effective and its students could be sent to nearby schools.

Aorangi board of trustees spokesman Andrew Oh said yesterday the process was flawed and had been unfair on pupils and staff. "We've gone straight into the judicial review because Crown Law has agreed to have this thing heard asap," he told Radio New Zealand.

"If we win in court, then the decision will be reversed."

The school has been allocated a two-day hearing in the High Court at Christchurch this month.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said Mr Key would not be commenting on the topic. "It's best we don't comment because it's before the courts now."