PLANS PUT forward to save two under-threat south Shropshire primary schools from the axe could save education chiefs up to £200,000, campaigners claimed today.

Governors at Onny and Lydbury North primary schools in south Shropshire believe a federation agreement could save £29,000 a year in travelling costs and up to £30,000 in revenue savings.

They have also claimed the move would mean Shropshire Council would not need to spend £150,000 on improvements at Bishop’s Castle Primary School to accommodate students from Lydbury North if the village school is closed.

The two schools want to enter a “soft federation”, retaining separate governing bodies until September 2012, after which the arrangement would become a “hard federation” with one set of governors responsible for both schools.

Both schools would remain open at their existing premises.

The figures are revealed in a formal business plan submitted by governors at both primary schools to members of Shropshire Council’s cabinet as part of the formal consultation period into school closures, which ended on Friday.

The schools are among eight primaries across the county earmarked for closure by summer 2012 as part of plans to tackle falling pupil numbers. The Wakeman secondary in Shrewsbury is due to close by July 2013 under the proposals.

Nikki Pugh, chairman of governors at Lydbury North Primary School, said: “The federation proposals are very exciting, we can clearly see immediate cost savings but also significant educational benefits for the pupils.”

Karen Bradshaw, group manager for learning and skills at Shropshire Council, said more than 850 responses had been made to Shropshire Council over the school reorganisation proposals.

She said: “The consultation ended on Friday and the outcomes will be detailed in a report going to a meeting of the council’s cabinet on May 4.

By Peter Kitchen