SHARP criticism has met possible plans to merge the two Church Hill schools .

Former Ravens Bank First School chairman of governors, Councillor Bill Hartnett, levelled fierce accusations at Worcestershire County Council's education chiefs for "dismissing" alternatives to proposals to merge it with Marlfield Farm First School.

Mr Hartnett had called for the options of federation or extended schools to be considered after the council agreed to go out to consultation on the possibility of creating a single school.

But in a letter to the county council's committee officer, Nichola Garner, Church Hill ward councillor Mr Hartnett said the alternatives were discussed "too hastily" within just four lines of the report.

An extended school is one that works in partnership with other agencies and extends its facilities to the local community, while a federation school sees a merged management with the schools remaining independent.

"The federation/ extended schools are still options and I still believe they would provide the best solution to this situation," said Mr Hartnett.

He added fellow ward councillors Rebecca Blake and David Hunt were backing his proposals, along with councillor Betty Passingham and schools minister Jacqui Smith.

A county council spokesman said different options were still under consultation and no suggestion had been ruled out yet.

But he said a "soft federation" approach had already been tried last year but education officials found it failed to address the issues.

He added extended school schemes in the area had proved there was no demand and a nearby community scheme in Moons Moat had been withdrawn as a result of decreased interest.