Stiperstones campaigners invite councillors into school

Parents, governors and staff at an under-threat Shropshire school are demanding council chiefs relocate an up-coming consultation meeting to see the children in their learning environment.

Members of the Save Stiperstones School Steering Group have written to Shropshire Council to have a meeting on March 16 at Snailbeach Village Hall moved to the school.

It comes as campaigners at Barrow Primary School, near Broseley, prepare to present their case to Shropshire Council officials at the first of nine public consultation meetings being held to discuss the proposals to close eight primary schools and the Wakeman secondary in Shrewsbury. The meeting will start at the school at 6.30pm.

Faye Moore, parent, ex-pupil and co-leader of the steering group at Stiperstones School, said it was vital council bosses saw how "desperate" the children are to save "Little School with the Big Heart" by visiting the school itself.

She said: "We have invited members of the cabinet at Shropshire Council, including leader Keith Barrow, to come to the school to see how desperately the children want it to stay open.

Other schools under threat include Hopton Wafers, Onny (Onibury), Maesbury, Stiperstones and Lydbury North.

At St Martins near Oswestry, Ifton Heath Primary would combine with Rhyn Park School, on the Rhyn Park site. At Shawbury it is proposed to combine Shawbury Primary and St Mary's on the Shawbury site.