Shropshire Council backs school closures

Shropshire councillors today agreed to close five primary schools.

A meeting of Shropshire Council's cabinet agreed to go ahead with the closure of Ifton Heath Primary School in order to create an all-through school at the St Martins' Rhyn Park Secondary School.

They also agreed to back the closure of Barrow, Hopton Wafers and Maesbury primary schools and support the closure of Shawbury Primary School to create a single school for the village with St Mary's Primary School.

The cabinet agreed not to close Stiperstones Primary School, near Shrewsbury. This will allow it to explore plans to form a federation with Chirbury Primary School, which would see the two share facilities.

Onny and Lydbury North primary schools will also be allowed to explore federation plans.

Councillors agreed that the age range of Buntingsdle Infants School, near Market Drayton, should be extended to allow the school to take children aged four to 11.