St. George?s parents are planning to hand a petition to Premier Alex Scott calling for a plan to accommodate primary school aged children in the area.

It is not clear who is organising the petition, but parent Nick Duffy yesterday said that he had already handed in about 100 signatures.

A major row arose early this month when it emerged that Government had made a decision to cut one of two entry level classes at St. George?s Prep ? leaving many parents to send their children to another school.

Besides the petition, which is being organised by a group calling itself The Friends of St. George?s schools?, parents are formally appealing the decision and plan on taking court action if that fails.

Some 26 parents are being represented pro bono by lawyers Richard Horseman and Mark Pettingill.

The school?s trustees, and Government MPs Jennifer Smith and Dean Foggo, have supported the parents? position and called on Education Minister Terry Lister not to cut the class.

St. George?s Prep principal Mary Lodge said she was optimistic that the issue will be resolved in their favour.

?It?s not just speaking with regard to the Prep but is in fact calling for a plan for all of St. George?s,? Mrs. Lodge said of the petition which has been circulating St. George?s for about a week.

?I?m always optimistic about everything.

?My job at the moment is to be focused on running the school as it is and waiting on the appeals process... We shall wait and see what happens.?