THE decision to move ahead with the closure of Burrowbridge Church of England Primary School has been met with disappointment by parents, campaigners and councillors struggling to keep the school open.

The school’s board of governors posted a public statutory closure notice last week declaring their intention to shut its doors forever on March 31, 2012, despite a wave of objections.

The school’s pupils would be sent to Stoke St Gregory School, with which Burrowbridge is federated.

Cllr David Forthergill said: “Over the past few weeks I have offered on several occasions to meet with the chair of the governors to try and find an alternative to the closure of Burrowbridge School.

“I was made aware of a number of parents who would consider sending their children to the school if its future was assured.

“This together with the potential development of 23 new homes in the village would I believe make the school both viable and vibrant.

“I’m very disappointed therefore that the offer to meet wasn’t accepted and that the decision to move ahead with the closure has been made.

“However, there are further steps and I remain hopeful that the school remain open for the Burrowbridge Community.”

Anyone who is unhappy with the decision to close the school now has six weeks to submit their comments and objections to Somerset County Council.

Correspondence should be sent to Louise Goll, Corporate Director, Children and Young People’s Directorate, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.

Rob Talbot, of the Burrowbridge School Action Group, said: “It's extremely disappointing that the governors are pressing ahead but I think we expected it to happen. We were prepared for this even though over 150 letters of protest were sent in.

“This now is where we pick up the fight and take it to county hall. We have six weeks to send in our feelings and evidence of why the school should remain open.”

The school's future has been under review since October when the County Council announced that it was on the list of educational centres due to be shut down as a result of falling pupil numbers.

John Osman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, later revealed that the school was no longer being considered for closure.

But despite his decision, the school's governing body has decided to press ahead with their plans to close the school.

The board of governors were unavailable for comment.

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