A SOUTH Worcestershire Primary School will close for good at the end of next month after a final opportunity to save it failed.

Malvern Hills Primary School was earmarked for closure in July after being put into special measures by Ofsted for the third time in seven years.

Local councillors and governors have fought to keep the school open, asking for the new headteacher to be given more time to turn things around.

But Worcestershire County Council says pupil numbers at the school have been low for the past decade, with director of children's services Richard Hubbard stating that even if the school did come out of special measures again, “there is no guarantee this cycle will not be repeated in two or three years’ time”.

Yesterday's meeting of the council's ruling cabinet represented the last chance for council leaders to change their minds – but they voted unanimously to close the school.

The decision was blasted by chairman of governors Dinah Sage, who said its timing was “reprehensible” given the appointment of a new headteacher just two months ago, who will now be made redundant.

And there was concern too for a local charity which will no longer be able to run support services for disabled youngsters from an unused classroom at the school.

Maria Munday of Malvern Hills Special Families said: “It is hard to find alternative community resources with full disabled access and the space we need.”

The council has now agreed to give the charity an extra six months to find a new home after the school closes its doors at the end of December.