A huge crowd has turned out to save a suburban school in Christchurch.

Redcliffs School has been earmarked for permanent closure, after it suffered serious damage in the 2011 earthquakes.

More than 1000 people have turned out to Redcliffs Park, where it's more a carnival atmosphere than a protest.

Many are wearing t-shirts with slogans such as 'Ready To Return' and 'Save Our School'.

There are local bands performing, and hundreds have queued up in tents to write submissions to the government.