Closing a Shropshire primary school would be “a great tragedy” according to parents, governors and villagers who packed out a meeting in a bid to save the school.

About 100 people turned out at Jubilee Hall in Childs Ercall yesterday in a last ditch attempt to save Childs Ercall Primary School from the axe.

Shropshire County Council, the local education authority, recommended the school was closed earlier this year because it did not have enough pupils to run efficiently.

However, the matter was passed to independent schools adjudicator Dr Peter Matthews after the Diocese of Lichfield, which has responsibility for the Church of England school, appealed against the decision.

Yesterday’s meeting, chaired by Dr Matthews, aimed to give people an opportunity to express their concerns about the proposed closure. School governor Patrick Playfair said teaching standards at the school had been improving.

Former pupil Carolyne Vaughan said four generations of her family had attended the school.” Susan Bosher, a parent of two boys at the school, said closing it would have a devastating effect on its pupils.

“My concern is the children,” she said. “At the moment have got friends and they are forming relationships. I just think it’s a great tragedy.”

Shropshire County Council corporate director for children and young people’s services Liz Nicholson said the council had recommended the school is closed as, with only 15 pupils, it was uneconomic to run.

Dr Matthews will make a decision on the school by the end of the month.