PARENTS and carers of pupils from Worcester's troubled Elbury Mount Primary School are being given the opportunity to air their views on how to create a better future.

Worcestershire County Council is to hold an open meeting to discuss the school's "fresh start" proposals, which include shutting it on Tuesday, August 31, next year and re-opening it on the same site the next day.

The council wants to consult with parents, staff, governors on various suggested measures, which include appointing new governors, recruiting a nursery teacher and reducing the number of mixed-age classes.

The moves are seen as part of a recovery plan for the school in Fairfield Close, Brickfields, which was described as having serious weaknesses by Ofsted inspectors and is due to be placed in special measures.

It was also ranked bottom in Worcestershire - 98th out 98 schools - in the primary league tables published last week.

Geoff Taylor-Smith, head of community education and lifelong learning, urged as many people as possible to attend the meeting.

"What we need is for everyone concerned about the school to tell us what they think of our proposals. That way, we should be able to drive the school forward in the best way possible, " he said.

The county council announced Julia Rogula from Pitmaston Primary, St John's as acting head last month after the departure of Elbury Mount head Kay Morgan.

A consultation document, A Fresh Start for Elbury Mount Primary School, is available from the county council's educational services or on line at www.worcestershire.gov.uk. The closing date for responses is Monday January 12.

The open meeting takes place at the school in Fairfield Close on Wednesday, December 17 at 7.30pm. These responses will form part of a report to be presented to Cabinet on Monday February 9.