VILLAGERS are fighting to save the school they claim fits the government's primary education criteria to a tee.

A roll-call of 32 pupils in the hamlet of Buerton, near Audlem, has been deemed too small to be viable by education authority chiefs seeking to save £63,000 a year by its closure.

But the campaigners argue that the school offers exactly the sort of education Tony Blair and his team are plugging - smaller classes and an emphasis on the three Rs, family values, excellent relationships with peers and the community, general good behaviour and high quality special needs teaching.

And the villagers also fear that closure will take away the village's only centre of activity.

"Over the years various public houses and a village shop have all gone, so the whole community is now focused on our school," said campaigning governor Ralph Warburton.

"The WI and parish council have met there for the past fifty years or so," he added.

The County Council appointed a 'Rationalisation Committee' to consider the move. It consisted of five councillors.

Half the village turned out to meet four of its members and set out their arguments against closure.

The committee, dubbed the RATS by the campaigners, have since voted 3-2 in favour of closure.

"One member who voted against the school did not even attend the public meeting and so was not party to our firmly expressed arguments," said Mr Warburton.

The SOS campaign will being highlighted in shops in nearby Audlem and residents are being urged to write to county councillors, the MP and heads of government.

"Transport minister, John Prescott, will be particulary interested to know that the school is meeting his aim to reduce car traffic. Nearly half the children walk to school," Mr Warburton added.

Cheshire County Council spokesman Ian Callister said among the reasons for the panel recommending the closure of Buerton School were:

There are only 32 pupils, 13 of whom come from actual zoned area and the rest from outside such as Audlem.

Each pupil costs £3,300 as opposed to a county average of £1,542.

There is plenty of room at Audlem St James CE Primary

Buerton School was built in 1871 and has very small rooms. The mobile classroom is not in good condition.

"The fact that so many children come from outside the area indicates that the school is very well thought of," he said.

"I must stress that this is just a recommendation. A decision will be made by the education operations sub-committee on October 19 and referred to the education committee on November 11."

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