Two Shropshire village schools to close

The Shropshire Star reports that Hope Church of England Primary School and St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Westbury are set to close. Under the plans, pupils will be transferred to an amalgamated site at Worthen Church of England Primary School.

Heather Kidd, the excellent Liberal Democrat councillor for the area, sees no alternative because young families cannot afford to move to the area.

But it is hard not to gasp as the casuistry of the Conservative cabinet member for education on Shropshire Council:

“It is very important to understand that this is not a decision to close the schools, but a decision to consult on the amalgamation of the three schools, requiring the closure of two of the sites and enlarging the provision on the third site to accommodate the displaced pupils."

As I asked when the school at nearby Stiperstones was threatened:

Aren't Tories meant to have romantic feelings about things like village schools?

The photographs here show the school at Hope.