Shropshire Council will press on with school closures

Education chiefs unanimously agreed to press on with plans to shut five Shropshire primary schools.

Members of Shropshire Council's cabinet agreed to back the closure of Barrow, Hopton Wafers and Maesbury Primary Schools.

They also dealt a hammer blow to Ifton Heath Primary School in St Martins, deciding the school should shut to create an all-through school at the village's Rhyn Park Secondary School.

They also supported the closure of Shawbury Primary School to create a single school in the village with St Mary's Primary School.

But other schools, originally set to close, may now be saved by federation bids.

Stiperstones Primary School was given more time to develop proposals to federate with Chirbury Primary School.

Councillors reprieved two other primary schools – Onny and Lydbury North – which can now work on plans to federate.

Yesterday's meeting also saw members back recommendations to extend the age range of Buntingsdale Infant School, near Market Drayton, for children aged four to 11.

Councillor Aggie-Caesar Homden, cabinet member for education and skills, said councillors had to take "very difficult decisions" but claimed the plans were the best option for Shropshire children.