Concerned over schools plans

I live in the village of Lydbury North and have a child at Lydbury North Primary School.

I am extremely concerned at various reports I have heard about the threatened closure of a number of local primary schools, which may come into effect as early as next year, and is quite likely to affect our school.

Lydbury North School is a very popular and over subscribed school with an excellent standard of education. It is also a focal point of our village and community. I came to live in this village because of the close proximity of the school.

I used to live in Herefordshire and my child had a half hour journey to and from his nearest school, which is a lot of time in a child's day.

I believe the council is hoping to save £3.8 million over four years by closing twenty small schools. This is approximately 0.3 per cent of the overall council budget.

Surely there are other ways to save a small amount than by taking the heart out of rural communities throughout Shropshire. It is not the way to save money.

Extending other schools to cope with more pupils will cost the same as you are wishing to save - if not more. The environmental cost on the planet must also be taken into consideration.

I think Shropshire County Council has behaved disgracefully, developing this policy without informing the public until there is very little time left for us to speak our views.

Shona Bluhm, Lydbury North