The axe is hovering and parents, staff and governors at the affected Shropshire schools have reacted to the latest recommendations with a mix of anger, sadness and resignation.

Others have vowed to continue the fight to the bitter end to save their local schools. Parents in Ifton Heath have already launched a survey of in their battle to overturn the recommendation for their school.

At nearby Maesbury School there was optimism that the recommendation for closure would be overridden by a bid to give the school academy status.

Vice-chairman of governors at Maesbury, Tony Milner, said that he was confident that the school would be able to continue down the road of academy status.

“We are in the middle of the process. This is merely a sideshow and will not hamper our application,” he said.

“We have very, very few spaces for children in the Oswestry area.”

Margaret Jones, the school’s chairman of governors, said: “The governors and staff of Maesbury County Primary School would like to acknowledge and thank the MP Owen Paterson for his unwavering help and valued support in our bid to change Maesbury school from a council-maintained school into an academy school.”

Headteacher at Hopton Wafers School Sian Hawes said the recommendation had come as no surprise.

The school currently has 19 pupils.

“We’re very disappointed that the council’s education department is proposing to cabinet that our school should be closed next year.

“However, in view of our small number of pupils on roll, we are not entirely surprised,” she added.

“Should cabinet approve the proposal on July 20, we aim to make our final year as enjoyable and beneficial to our pupils as we possibly can.”

Barrow School is pinning its hopes on an application to become a free school.

Simon Pennington, school governor and leader of the campaign to save Barrow Primary School, said all the parents were disappointed but not surprised.

“Our last chance of saving Barrow is to turn it into a free school.

“We are due to hear from the Department of Education this week on their decision,” he added.

“If that falls through then Barrow will close for good.”

l Shropshire Council is recommending the closure of Hopton Wafers Primary School, offering pupils a place in Cleobury Mortimer Primary School; the closure of Maesbury Primary School, offering pupils a place in Kinnerley or catchment area school for their home address and the closure of Barrow, offering pupils places at Broseley.

The recommendations also include closing Shawbury Primary School, offering pupils places at St Mary’s C of E Primary School in the village.

A proposal to create an all-through school to serve St Martins by closing Ifton Heath Primary School and extending the age range of Rhyn Park Secondary School is also being recommended.

This would come into effect in September 2012.

By Sue Austin