Pupils midway through their secondary education at an under-threat Shropshire school should be moved to new schools a year before it is set to close, council officials have claimed.

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council say they accept with “sadness” that there are compelling reasons for Shropshire Council to close the Wakeman School in Shrewsbury.

The school is the only secondary on a hitlist of nine that the council wants to close.

But councillors on the town council have claimed that this year’s current Year 8 pupils at the school should be moved to a new school a year before it is proposed to close in 2013 to avoid problems when they come to study for their GCSEs.

A letter to David Taylor, director of children and young people’s services at Shropshire Council, sent by the town council says: “Of particular concern to members are the current Year 8 students who will be midway through their GCSE course at the time of closure.”

It adds: “The town council would wish to see 2011/12 Year 9 students are transferred to their new school  ahead of the school’s closure.”

But Joanna Purslow, governor at the Wakeman school, said: “Firstly we want the school to stay open, we don’t want any children to leave the school or any children’s education to be put at risk which it will be if the school closes.

“But I would also like to point out that the consultation closed on April 8 and yet Mr Taylor is still able to take the town council’s views into account.”

Shropshire Council wants to close eight primary schools and the Wakeman in a bid to tackle empty classroom spaces and funding.

Karen Bradshaw, Group Manager, Learning and Skills, said the council’s cabinet would be discussing the proposals on May4.

She added:”If Cabinet decided to proceed to formal proposals to close the Wakeman School, this would be proposed to take place in August 2013, providing time to plan thoroughly and ensure that pupils were supported through the transition.”