A TEENAGER is campaigning against the closure of his school.

Michael Deakin, of Shotton, says the staff at John Summers High School in Queensferry gave him tremendous support following the death of his father.

The 15-year-old is among those fighting plans to merge the school with Connah’s Quay High School and voiced his concerns at a consultation event.

He told the Leader: “I was nine-years-old when my father died.

“The turning point in my life happened when it was decided I could come to John Summers High School.

“I found that the staff at John Summers were friendly, patient and helpful.

“I would like to thank everyone at John Summers. My dad would be proud of me today.”

Michael, whose father Alan died of a heart attack, set up a group on Facebook to encourage pupils to attend the consultation event.

Hundreds of pupils and parents packed the hall at John Summers High School for the event on Monday where visitors could talk to Ian Budd, director of lifelong learning at Flintshire Council, and Cllr Nigel Steele Mortimer, executive member for education, and submit a feedback form.

The two schools could merge as part of a radical shake-up of the education system in a bid to tackle surplus places.

Other options for reorganisation include amalgamating Elfed High School in Buckley with Argoed High School in Mynydd Isa.

A super-school in Holywell with a primary and secondary school on one site could also be created.

Chairman of governors, Craig Hunter, from Shotton, says the school is one of the best performing in Wales and should be retained at all costs.

He said: “We have gone from being under-achieving to a school of excellence.

“They should be rebuilding the school and not sending its pupils all over the county.”

Meanwhile, English teacher Harry Roberts said fears are mounting about the future of staff.

He told the Leader: “Our trade union representative said both us and staff from Connah’s Quay could apply for the same jobs.

“There is also the possibility that it will be made open nationwide and anyone in the country can apply for the jobs.”

Holywell High School, Elfed High School and John Summers High School have the most surplus places accounting for 64.44 per cent of surplus capacity in the county’s 12 secondary schools.

Any changes are expected to be implemented between September, 2012 and 2014.

The next consultation event at John Summers High School will be on Tuesday, September 27.