SHARING teachers and dividing classes between two sites could prevent small schools closing.

The ideas form part of the advice Worcestershire County Council's executive committee may be given by the education/lifelong learning panel to save schools under threat because of falling rolls.

The suggestions are part of a revision of the small schools policy which could also see a change to the point at which falling pupil numbers trigger council intervention.

Primary schools with less than 90 pupils are currently subject to a review, but that number could be reduced to 70.

The panel discussed a number of issues concerning small schools, including educational attainment, delivery of the curriculum and collaboration between schools.

Councillor June Longmuir, cabinet member for education, said she believed collaboration should be investigated.

"We've got to look at joint staffing," she said.

"We also need to look at more creative ways in which various organisations outside this county run their schools."

The panel decided to look at how other local authorities organise small schools once the new academic year started in September.

"With small schools, the major problem is providing the full range of the curriculum," said Coun Clive Holt, vice-chairman of the panel.

"Rather than bus children around, wouldn't it be better if we transport specialist teachers to schools?

"The county should be fostering collaboration.

"There's no reason why we couldn't have a headteacher at one school and in charge of two others."

The panel heard that other schools had adopted a similar approach.

One school in Northamptonshire is run on two sites ten miles apart, and in Dorset there is a co-operative of four primary schools, all with the same headteacher.

"There's a lot of work that goes on in pyramids of schools," said Colin Weeden, head of education policy.

"It's not been something that's developed to any significant extent.

"Very few have linked up, because you lose your autonomy in schools and they are reluctant to go down that route."

The panel will meet in October to discuss their findings and what advice can be given to the executive committee.