Protest event at Stiperstones primary school

A show of solidarity saw more than 100 people link arms around a closure-threatened Shropshire primary school - as its headteacher hit out at claims it had too many staff.

Sue Cooke, head at Stiperstones School, said she was delighted with the support shown at yesterday's protest event.

But she has also rebuffed claims that one of the reasons the school is on the chopping board is because it has too many employees.

She said: "I'm the only full-time member of staff at the school.

"There are two other teachers who share their work and five teaching assistants who all work part-time or on a voluntary basis.

"There are rumours going around that we have too many staff but there is a demand to work here because it is such a good school and staff choose to work here voluntarily to study on their NVQs."

More than 100 people including pupils, parents and residents joined in yesterday's human chain, which encircled the entirety of the school and pre-school.

Pupil Eryn Moore, 10, said: "It's the best school in the world and we would all be really sad if it was closed."

Carol Thain, a resident of Stiperstones for 18 years, said: "I always go along to support the school. Not as many people would come to live here and the area is in danger of becoming a retirement village."