Much closer co-operation is needed between Shropshire schools to safeguard their future and overcome funding problems.

This is one of the key finds of an indpendent policy commission which today released its report into primary school organisation.

The commission was set up following huge public protests last year at plans to close 22 small schools in a bid to tackle falling pupil numbers and loss of funding.

It is recommending that Shropshire Council review the case for further amalgamations of primary schools where there is support for this among parents, governors, heads and teachers.

Sixteen schools across the county are already merging.

The commission also calls on the council to actively promote the development of federations,

which schools work closely together and share resources,but retain their own identity.

It is a process which has proved successful in other parts of the country.

One of the more controversial recommendations concerns funding and how a £2.4 million shortfall can be bridged if no extra cash is forthcoming from Government.

The commission, which has spent 12 months gathering its evidence, accepts there is no “ready solution” but proposes a flat-rate reduction in all schools funding to better share available resources.

But it suggests only a modest reduction for larger schools, where funding per pupil is already lower than in smaller schools.

The 52-page report was presented to a cross party group of Shropshire Council members today and to an informal meeting of the cabinet.

It will go before a scrutiny committee in September and back to cabinet later in the year after consultation with teachers, parent governors, parish and town councils, and diocesan directors of education.

No final decisionswill be taken until next February.

By Dave Morris