THE future of two village primary schools was hanging in the balance as education chiefs met to discuss measures to reduce surplus school places.

Concerned teachers and governors from Trottiscliffe CE Primary School and Shipbourne Community Primary School were at Kent County Council’s school organisation advisory board meeting on Thursday to listen to members discuss proposals to close their schools.

To the dismay of Trottiscliffe representatives, board members voted to put the closure proposals out for public consultation.

But Shipbourne was granted a temporary reprieve as councillors agreed not to push closure proposals through.

The board’s recommendation must now be ratified by KCC cabinet members.

After the meeting, an angry and defiant Trottiscliffe headteacher Stella Sudds vowed her school would battle to the end. The school has space for 84 pupils but currently only 61 on the roll.

She said: "We’re determined to fight. When we first heard of the idea we just couldn’t believe it – we thought they must have got it wrong. Now we’re just angry."

She added "I’m confident the school is strong enough and they will decide to keep it open.

"People describe us as the lifeblood of the village. Many of the villagers came here when they were children. We have summer fetes, bonfire night – these things won’t go on if the school closes."

Ruth Wadsworth, chairman of governors at Shipbourne Primary School was cautious about celebrating too soon.

She said: "I’m pleased with the result, but we were hoping it would be thrown out for good.

"Now I’m just hoping the cabinet will end our misery - we’re confident we’re a good enough school to stay open."