Schools across Shropshire are about to enter what promises to be a difficult new year with tight budgets, cuts to education support services and demands to raise classroom standards.

Some could also be earmarked for closure or merger as Shropshire Council implements plans to tackle falling pupil numbers and an ongoing £1 million a year shortfall in Government funding.

On top of the funding shortfall, the council is looking to cut costs in its children and young people’s directorate as part of its overall target of saving £76 million over a four-year period.

Last week the council cabinet agreed its latest raft of savings which will see £542,000 coming out of the schools advisory service and £165,000 from Early Years as a result of deleting posts.

And 22 posts could be lost in the advisory service and a further 12 in Early Years and childcare.

A series of 16 area reviews have been taking place which will help determine the future of the schools network.

They have involved headteachers, chairmen of governors, diocesan directors of education, and local members of the council.

The meetings have looked at Ofsted judgments, Key Stage 2 results, use of resources and surplus places, and how each school in the particular area performs against the criteria contained in the council’s adopted school organisation policy.

A report, based on the findings of these sessions, will be presented to the cabinet in February. This is expected to show schools that could face closure, along with proposed amalgamations.

Changes will be the subject of public consultation.

A number of schools are also believed to be keen on the idea of forming federations in which they will work closely together and share resources but still retain a separate identity.

Council leader Keith Barrow said people recognised changes were necessary to schools network.

He said it was possible that some schools might have to close.

But he added: “I have no ideological desire to close schools. I have been a good friend to education.”

Councillor Barrow said part of the process would be to deliver higher standards, though he is “very proud” of the achievements of county schools.

However, there has been a growing trend of schools being rated as “satisfactory” by Ofsted inspectors instead of “good”.

By Education Correspondent Dave Morris