Stiperstones school in academy plan

An under-threat Shropshire primary school could be turned into a Church of England academy in a bid to preserve its future, a county MP has claimed.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, said Stiperstones CE School, near Shrewsbury, could go down the route as an option to closure.

The Tory MP met teachers, parents and children at the school last week and held a private session with its steering group to discuss a battle plan. The school is one of nine which Shropshire Council wants to close to tackle empty classroom spaces and funding issues.

After Friday's meeting, Mr Dunne said: "There were a number of interesting initiatives discussed including the possibility of the diocese scheme to establish academies for church schools including Stiperstones."

He added: "If the diocese was to set up as an academy provider it would allow the school to continue."

Sue Cooke, headteacher, said they would prefer to be supported by the council but would consider becoming an academy. She said: "The more schools that become academies will mean there will be no role for the local authority to play in funding or supporting schools.

"It's important to have the back up of local authority advisors but if we felt we weren't getting their support to stay open it might be something we'd consider."