THE final school to hold a public meeting on its future has attracted one of the biggest turn-outs in a massive show of support.

Some 250 parents and residents packed Bayton Primary School last week to back the village school which faces merger with Far Forest First at the latter site under Worcestershire County Council's education shake-up.

But headteacher Avis Pounder said she was confident the school - which is oversubscribed for its 70 places - has a secure future.

"I think the support we have and the feeling we have from the community was very clear. I just felt the support at the meeting was extremely positive."

Bayton Primary was the last of 46 state schools in the district to hold public meetings with county officers about the once-in-a-generation £80 million review which aims to tackle surplus places and raise standards.

Several first, middle and high schools may have to merge - whether Wyre Forest sticks with the three-tier system or adopts the primary and secondary school set-up.

Mrs Pounder admitted parents were "devastated" at the prospect of the 130-year-old Church of England school merging with Far Forest First because she said it is at the heart of three villages - Bayton, Mamble and Clows Top.

She highlighted the school's three achievement awards from the Government in the last three years for raising standards.

And she added the success of the Little Learners nursery on the site - which can provide the school with at least its annual intake of 10 pupils - made it "future-proof".

However, Mrs Pounder said the school had not launched a "save our school" campaign but was letting the evidence speak for itself.

County council spokesman Lee Shrimpton said where possible all comments and suggestions would be incorporated into the report outlining options. He added there might be a second period of consultation early next year before final options are put before the county council cabinet in late spring.

Any changes must be approved by the independent School Organisation Committee and the Department for Education and Skills before they are implemented from September 2005.

People can still make their views known to the county council until November 28 by writing to Alison Cartwright, Policy Officer - Schools, Education Services, PO Box 73, Worcester WR5 2YA.