High schools 'will remain open'

Protests against the proposals have been held

No high schools in Herefordshire will close for at least three years, the county council has pledged.

Herefordshire Council Leader Roger Phillips said there would be no closure or major reorganisation of high schools during the current administration.

More than 200 protesters attended a full council meeting to urge leaders not to shut schools as part of a county-wide shake-up.

Plans that could have seen 40 schools close or merge have been withdrawn.

Mr Phillips pledged to protect the high schools during the current administration, which is in power until the next local elections in May 2011.

'Continued protection'

The council also confirmed it would continue to apply its 'small schools policy' to primary schools and there would be no closures outside this policy.

"Any future drafting of any changes affecting Herefordshire schools will involve heads, governors, parents, the local community and local ward councillors," he said.

"These groups will examine and exhaust every opportunity to ensure the continued protection of our schools."

The meeting had to move venues to Hereford Town Hall to accommodate all the people who wanted to attend.

The council said action was still needed due to falling pupil numbers, but it said it would look to "more creative solutions", such as sharing resources among schools.

"The council will continue to lobby the government for fairer funding for our children and young people in Herefordshire", Mr Phillips added.

The original plans meant up to 36 primary and four high schools would be merged.

Herefordshire Council has said 12% of its school places were empty and population trends indicated this was likely to increase to more than 20% by 2012.