Shropshire Star education correspondent Dave Morris looks at how the new education changes will affect the county’s pupils.

Here we go again – or do we?

Today’s long-awaited proposals for tackling falling pupil numbers across Shropshire and funding shortages, will not generate the huge protests seen at the Shirehall three years ago when the former county council listed 22 schools for possible closure, along with a number of mergers.

The Wakeman School & Arts College

The new proposals, to a large extent, are under-pinned by the findings of a highly respected independent policy commission who took an in-depth look at school organisation across Shropshire.

The commission’s findings and recommendations were published in July 2009 and widely accepted.

For example, they said that Shropshire Council should review the role of mixed-age classes covering more than two years, actively promote the development of federations which would see schools working closely together and sharing their resources but remaining independent, and review the catchment areas of schools.

The commission said any future proposals for school reorganisation should include an “explicit assessment” of the views of the parents of all the children affected by the proposals, and these would be set alongside other factors.

Well the council has certainly been carefully picking its way forward and consulting at area levels.

Shawbury Primary School could stay open by merging with the village's St Mary's Primary School

The commission also made it clear that it was possible some schools might have to close.

It concluded that Shropshire Council should develop a “new vision” for county schools.

That “new vision” is what we have got today. But will parents and other interested groups go along with it.

There will certainly be some protests.

Closing a school is always an emotive issue, and particularly when a school might be the only remaining facility in a village.

But there certainly seems to be a more widespread acceptance that changes are necessary to maintain a vibrant schools network which has a secure future.

There is also an acceptance that some schools really are far too small to provide a well-rounded education for their pupils, as well as being a drain on resources.

And the public is certainly aware of the funding problems facing Shropshire Council.

Back in June 2009 when Keith Barrow became leader of the unitary council, he moved quickly to remove the closure threat which still hung over 22 schools.

Some people will no doubt remind him of a statement he made at the time.

He said:”We have a lot of excellent small rural schools and I want them to know that this Conservative administration will support them.”

In fairness, however, he has since said on a number of occasions that he could never rule out a closure.

It would appear the council has little alternative but to go for a series of closures to help reduce overall capacity, and to encourage the setting up of federations.

Wakeman School in Shrewsbury would seem to be a big casualty.

However, rumours surrounding its future have been rife for some years. It is a small secondary with pupil numbers well below the 600 figure in the council’s schools’ policy.

Nick Clegg joined the protest over Lydbury North School's proposed closure in 2008

However, there is spare capacity in the town, particularly at Meole Brace. Rhyn Park in St Martins is also a small secondary but the council has come up with an exciting and innovative way of protecting it and safeguarding secondary education in the area.

An “all through” school for pupils aged three to 16 will be created on the Rhyn Park site by combining the secondary with Ifton Heath Primary. The idea came from Rhyn Park and it seems to me a good one.

One village where the council can expect very vocal opposition to its plans is Lydbury North.

A strong campaign was launched there three years ago when it was suggested the school should amalgamate with Clunbury on the Clunbury site.

Lydbury North was visited in 2008 by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg who accused Shirehall bosses of being “pig headed” over the amalgamation plans.