Schools face plans delay

Two south Shropshire schools have another nail-biting month to wait to see whether plans to merge them will be scrapped.

Shropshire county councillors today agreed to give Lydbury North School, near Bishop’s Castle, and Clunbury School more time to look into becoming a federation. The move would mean them remaining at separate sites but having one headteacher and also sharing resources.

Members voted at today’s cabinet meeting to follow recommendations in a report to give the schools more time to consider the plan.

The schools were due to be amalgamated under plans to close 22 small primary schools and merge 16 others in a money-saving scheme.

Representatives from Lydbury North spoke overwhelmingly in favour of the move today, which would save it from closure and stop the children having to go to a new enlarged Clunbury School.Representatives from Lydbury North spoke overwhelmingly in favour of the move today, which would save it from closure and stop the children having to go to a new enlarged Clunbury School.

But the vice-chairman of governors at Clunbury, Michael Leviseur, said they wanted the council to reject the plan.

He said: “Both Lydbury and Clunbury are successful. It’s been appalling to see the pressure put on the teachers. Our decision is made purely for the benefit of the children of both schools.”

Nick Howell, Lydbury North’s chairman of governor, said the school wanted to put all its energies and passion into making a federation work and safeguard the future of small schools in the county.

Ann Hartley, the council’s portfolio holder for children and young people’s services, proposed the recommendation was followed and Liz Nicholson, director of the portfolio, aid discussions between the schools to reach an informed decision. The cabinet will discuss the plans again on December 17.

The schools have seen parents, children and governors protesting fiercely against the move to merge them since January.

All the other school proposals went through as their reports recommended.

By Catherine Roche