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School closures are put on hold School closures are put on hold
(21 minutes later)
Plans to consult on closing 22 Shropshire schools have been put on hold after a protest by hundreds of parents, teachers and pupils.Plans to consult on closing 22 Shropshire schools have been put on hold after a protest by hundreds of parents, teachers and pupils.
But Shropshire County Council still intends to press ahead with proposals to merge 16 others.But Shropshire County Council still intends to press ahead with proposals to merge 16 others.
Large crowds of protesters, many waving placards, and shouting "save our schools", gathered outside the meeting.Large crowds of protesters, many waving placards, and shouting "save our schools", gathered outside the meeting.
It comes as the the government was accused of giving conflicting advice on hundreds of rural school closures. It comes as the government was accused of giving conflicting advice on hundreds of rural school closures.
Parents, pupils and teachers from the 38 Shropshire primary schools facing closure or merger led the demonstration on Wednesday morning.Parents, pupils and teachers from the 38 Shropshire primary schools facing closure or merger led the demonstration on Wednesday morning.
This is a great result for people power in Shropshire MP Philip Dunne 'Muddle' on school closuresThis is a great result for people power in Shropshire MP Philip Dunne 'Muddle' on school closures
Councillor Ann Hartley, cabinet member for schools, announced the revised policy at the beginning of the meeting.Councillor Ann Hartley, cabinet member for schools, announced the revised policy at the beginning of the meeting.
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne welcomed the decision.Ludlow MP Philip Dunne welcomed the decision.
"The county council will now have to go back to the drawing board to work out how to bridge the funding gap which this decision will leave."The county council will now have to go back to the drawing board to work out how to bridge the funding gap which this decision will leave.
"This is a great result for people power in Shropshire.""This is a great result for people power in Shropshire."
Mrs Hartley said the closure consultation plans would be stopped until consideration was given to the outcome of a meeting on Wednesday night between Shropshire MPs and minsters.Mrs Hartley said the closure consultation plans would be stopped until consideration was given to the outcome of a meeting on Wednesday night between Shropshire MPs and minsters.
'Confused policy' 'Absolutely fantastic'
Further talks with schools and key "stakeholders" and another examination of pupil numbers will also take place before closures are reconsidered, she said.Further talks with schools and key "stakeholders" and another examination of pupil numbers will also take place before closures are reconsidered, she said.
Education officials claim radical changes are needed because of declining pupil numbers and money pressures. The Rev David Chantry, governor at Beckbury Primary School, said: "I think we need to keep our eyes on it very carefully because this is an issue that will go on."
Andrew Spreadborough, head teacher at Rushbury Primary School, said: "I'd just like to know more information, what do they exactly mean by put on hold?
"Are they going to come back with more amalgamations and less closures?"
'Confused policy'
But Beckbury parent governor Gary Welburn said: "We're ecstatic it's absolutely fantastic, it really is."
The schools minister is writing to local authorities in England reminding them there is a legal presumption against closing rural schools.The schools minister is writing to local authorities in England reminding them there is a legal presumption against closing rural schools.
But government guidance issued last month also told them to close smaller schools and remove surplus places.But government guidance issued last month also told them to close smaller schools and remove surplus places.
Lib Dem spokesman David Laws said government advice was "confused and hypocritical".Lib Dem spokesman David Laws said government advice was "confused and hypocritical".