Emotions run high as three Shropshire schools close

Emotions were running high as three Shropshire primary schools closed their doors for their final time.

It was the end of an era at Shawbury, Hopton Wafers and Maesbury Primaries yesterday after Shropshire Council closed all three as part of its controversial education cuts.

Click on the image to the right for more photos from the three schools

In Shawbury a single primary school, called Shawbury St Mary's CE Primary School, will be created. It will serve the village from September when Shawbury Primary joins forces with St Mary's.

At Shawbury Primary, which opened in 1958, pupils released balloons and created a 'memory wall' charting its history.

Acting headteacher David Martin said: "It is a bit emotional. The children are upset that Shawbury Primary won't exist any more but we are coming back as a bigger and better school."

Pupil Danielle Cooper, nine, said: "I'm a bit sad that it won't be called Shawbury Primary School but it is going to be better because you can make more friends."

In Maesbury, near Oswestry, the school shut its doors after almost 90 years serving the community.

Its 22 remaining pupils will transfer to other schools.

Headteacher Rosemary Finney said because everything from tables and chairs to toilet roll holders had had be packed away, the children had not been in school this week – going on school trips instead.

She said: "This school has been at the heart of the community for 89 years and some of the children are fourth generation families here."

Mother of four-year-old Eva and six-year-old Ryan, Rowenna Darlington, said: "It is a small friendly school. I cannot imagine what this will do to the community."

In Hopton Wafers, near Cleobury Mortimer, the school closed after 140 years educating local children.

Earlier in the week a service was held at the local church and a memorial tree was planted by children.

Headteacher Sian Hawes, who will now retire, said: "I feel saddened that the school will be no more and it has been difficult maintaining staff morale over the last year."

Parent Michelle Martin, from Cleobury Mortimer, said: "It's a very sad day and we're all disappointed because some local families had three generations educated here."

By Tom Johanssen