Protest over Shropshire schools closure plan

Protesters gathered outside Shirehall in Shrewsbury

Plans to close nine Shropshire schools and make 20 others share resources have been approved by councillors.

The approval means a period of public consultation can now begin on Shropshire Council's proposal before a final decision is made.

The consultation is set to begin on 28 February and run for six weeks.

Protesters, including parents and teachers, demonstrated against the plans outside the council headquarters ahead of the meeting on Tuesday.

Public meetings will now be held at each of the schools.

The authority has said changes are necessary due to falling pupil numbers and a decrease in government money.

Proposals include closing one secondary and six primary schools and two amalgamations, which would result in the closure of two more primary schools.

Share governors

The schools have got surplus places and neighbouring schools with space to take some or all of the displaced pupils, the council has said.

Under the plans, 20 primary schools will also be federated, which would mean they would share governors and resources with neighbouring schools.

The amalgamations would see Ifton Heath School closed and Rhyn Park turned into a school for children aged three to 16.

Shawbury School would also close but St Mary's School, also in Shawbury, would be relocated onto the site.

As well as the closures, Buntingsdale Infant School, in Tern Hill, would be expanded into a primary school.