IT'S a matter of mathematics --Herefordshire Council's case for closing Wormbridge School doesn't add up, says chair of governors Prebendary James Butterworth; and he's got the figures he thinks can show so.

Preb. Butterworth was responding to a council cabinet report this week that recommends the 33-pupil school be shut. A similar fate also awaits the 28-pupil primary at Hope-under-Dinmore.

Both have been operating amid uncertainty for some time and were subject to review (see HT 18/10/01 & HT 25/10/01).

The Local Education Authority (LEA) cites economics. Strengths aside, the county's smallest schools are 'poor value' for money because of the high cost involved for a small number of children, 61 at £250,000 a year - twice the county average.

Transferring the pupils to either Bodenham or Ewyas Harold where there is capacity would release an extra £116,000 per annum for other primary schools.

Bolstering this concept are, according to the LEA, persistently low numbers at both schools, with 'every prospect' numbers will continue to fall, an 'unusually low' proportion of local children attending each school and their 'limited sites'.

Buildings at Wormbridge were among the 'least suitable' for any primary in the county, requiring a substantial six-figure sum to restore 'reasonable standards'.

Preb. Butterworth claims independent figures counter the LEA argument, cutting cost estimates by a third.

"But economics are not the only justification for decision making."

He's equally confident in separate statistics showing Wormbridge will take more pupils than it loses over 2002/2003 without 'poaching' from other primaries.

Similar determination is displayed at Dinmore. Chair of governors Neil Ramsey has said he believes the school can survive - if the council shows the same confidence parents and staff offer to its operation.

Both schools have voluntary controlled Church of England status and are being supported by Hereford Diocese.

The recommendation to cabinet today (Thursday, January 10) is that the county secretary and solicitor 'be authorised to publish' formal statutory notices proposing closure from the end of the school year 2001/2002.

Any proposals and the representations received should then be referred to the county's Schools Organisation Committee.

From here the issue could go as far as Whitehall for eventual adjudication.