Schools saved in U-turn

Shirehall leaders today lifted the axe hanging over 22 closure-threatened Shropshire schools after a dramatic U-turn.

At a crunch meeting of the county council cabinet, Ann Hartley, the member for children's services, proposed that plans to consult on the proposed closures should be scrapped.

She said consultations on the amalgamation of 16 other schools should still go ahead. The move was unanimously backed by all nine members.

Councillor Hartley proposed that instead of pressing ahead with the closure plans, cabinet members should instead give full consideration to the outcome of an all-party delegation meeting with schools minister Jim Knight, which is due to take place tonight.

Supported by council leader Malcolm Pate, she urged that the council further analyse a pupil count taken this month, along with all the information received from schools and communities in recent days and that further discussions on finding a solution to the problem of falling pupil numbers take place with schools and key education stakeholders.

Councillor Pate said he now wanted "true and meaningful" talks with schools and others to find a solution "acceptable to everyone".

Councillor Peter Nutting said: "The Government in London doesn't know the needs of rural counties and this is one of the things we have got to centre on.

"We are the fifth-worst funded education authority and if we could get £50 to £100 extra per pupil from Government it would make all the difference."

During the debate, opposition non-cabinet members were allowed to speak. Lib Dem leader Peter Phillips warned that schools with fewer than 92 pupils on roll still needed to be on "red alert".

Labour leader Alan Mosley attacked the Tory administration for the "farce" it had created.

A crowd of nearly 1,000 protesters gathered outside the Shirehall were told of the new proposal by MP Philip Dunne and Councillor Nigel Hartin.

Mr Dunne told the Shropshire Star: "This is fantastic news for all Shropshire schools facing closure. It is a great credit to all the people who have demonstrated and a great credit to the cabinet, who have listened to their concerns."

Police estimated that 700 to 800 people turned up for today's protest, which came as the Government warned education authorities in England that, by law, they should not be closing rural schools.

A letter is being drafted to councils telling them they must take very seriously the statutory requirement in the 2006 Education Act that there is a presumption rural schools will not close.

Check out our photo gallery above

Campaigners celebrate their victory following the county council cabinet decision

MP Phillip Dunne tells protesters of the U-turn by the council.nextpage

Earlier protesters demanded that the threat against their schools was lifted.

Protesters make their feelings known outside the Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

Protests outside the Shirehall, Shrewsbury, against school closures.

Parents, pupils and teachers from all the schools turned out to protest.

Buildwas School campaigners.

Protesters march on Shirehall.

The protesters seen from high above.

Campaigners make their point.

Protesters from Barrow School.

Greg Day goes into battle for Barrow School.

The Selattyn School badgers have their say.

'Small school, big family' is the message.

Beckbury School's colourful banner.

School protesters waving their banners.

Onny School protesters.

Selattyn School protesters have their say.

Taking the Save Our School message to the streets.