Onibury school parents fear they are not being heard

Campaigners fighting to save their Shropshire primary school from closure believe they have been "brushed under the carpet" and haven't had a chance to have their say.

About 40 parents, staff and pupils from Onny Primary School in Onibury, near Craven Arms, gathered in front of Ludlow Castle to protest against their inclusion on the list of nine county schools facing the axe.

They were joined by Only Fools and Horses star John Challis who said he was supporting yesterday's protest to save the school because he cared about local communities.

Under the plans put forward by Shropshire Council eight primary schools across the county will close in July 2012 and the Wakeman secondary in Shrewsbury will close in July 2013.

Mr Challis attacked the proposals saying they would not save money if closing Onny School meant more teachers would be needed elsewhere to cope with pupils being transferred.

He said: "When I was a kid my primary school was just around the corner, we used to walk every day, you weren't too far away from mum and dad and I think kids need that security early on in life."

Mum Sarah Walker-Evans, who has two children at the school, said: "We feel like we've been brushed under the carpet. We haven't been given our chance to speak out about the school."

Parent Dave Carter, who has three children, two of them already at Onny School, said: "It's a lovely, friendly, little school, with not too many in the classes. It's a nice atmosphere there. My wife went there and all her family. We will send our youngest there if it's still open."

Kathryn Jarrett, a former pupil at Onny said: "I loved it, I loved the small school. My children attend a village school in Bitterley. I believe a small, rural education is fantastic for a child. I got on better having smaller classes and I'm sure my children do.

Outgoing headteacher Phil Dale said the school had just appointed a new head who will take over after Easter.

He said: "I'm supporting the parents and the children in hopefully maintaining Onny as a viable primary school."

Meanwhile, parents and governors at Lydbury North School near Bishop's Castle will be meeting today at the school at 7.30pm.

Nikki Pugh, chairman of governors, said: "We will be explaining the procedure to parents and what they want to do next. Hopefully an action group will come out of that."

By Hannah Costigan