TEACHERS, PARENTS and pupils at an under-threat Shropshire school today marched on the Shirehall in a blaze of colour to try to put a stop to plans to close their school.

About 20 campaigners carrying multi-coloured umbrellas and balloons made their way from the Wakeman School along Abbey Foregate to the headquarters of Shropshire Council.

Headteacher Karen Moore was joined by parents and pupils as she handed over petitions containing more than 8,000 signatures.

A further petition, called the Parent’s Pledge was also given to Richard Thomas, head of legal and democratic services at the council, along with the school’s official consultation response.

Mrs Moore today said: “We have had an absolutely amazing response and I would like to say thank you to parents, children and others for their contribution.”

She said education chiefs were shown around the school today and claimed they were “impressed” by what they saw.

Mother Helen Fletcher said the school was “important” for the future of Shrewsbury town centre, while Councillor Jon Tandy claimed the council’s plans were short-sighted because of the town’s status as a “growth town”.

Meanwhile furious campaigners from Stiperstones CE Primary School, near Shrewsbury, which is also on the council hit-list today called on education bosses to admit to mistakes in their plans to close it.

Faye Moore, from the steering group at Stiperstones CE School, has written to Shirehall official David Taylor outlining a list of mistakes she says are in a consultation document.

She today demanded alterations before the official consultations on the plans to close nine county schools ends tomorrow.

Mrs Moore’s letter to the director of children and young people’s services points out “mistakes” and says for the consultation document to be used in its current state would be “unfair and unjust.”

Karen Bradshaw, from Shropshire Council, said: “We have received the letter and will respond directly to Mrs Moore. No decisions have been made and the consultation is taking place to hear all these points which will be considered.”

By Russell Roberts