WORCESTER'S troubled El-bury Mount Primary School looks set to halve its number of reception classes amid falling pupil numbers.

The school has applied for permission to change from two-form to one-form entry.

The proposal is out for public consultation as part of the Review of Education Provision - Worcester City exercise.

The Brickfields school has told Worcestershire LEA that it wishes to become a single-form entry school, extend its provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs, and develop any spare accommodation on its site for lifelong learning initiatives.

It is also supporting the council's bid to remove shared catchment areas in the city, as this would support the concept of a community school.

The school also wishes to use space available in its nursery unit for inter-agency family support strategies.

The 420-capacity school, which was taken off Special Measures by Government inspectors in May, has seen its pupil roll fall from 434 in 1996 to 190.

This academic year it has taken in just 27 new pupils.

Last year, the LEA said the school should be shut down amid fears of failing academic and behavioural standards. It was reprieved after winning strong backing from the community.

Now councillors have raised concerns about the level of support being given to that community.

At yesterday's meeting of the county's education and lifelong learning panel, Coun Tom Wareing said councillors had been given a "virtual commitment" from officers that measures would be put in place to strengthen community facilities being offered at the school.

He called for a breakfast and homework club to be set up.

He was backed by Coun John Smith, who said members had given a commitment to do all they could to help the school.

"I don't want a report in the future to say that because it will cost a few bob here, a few bob there, the school should be closed again," he said.

"We've been dragging our feet. Funding shouldn't be an excuse."

Chairman Coun Ken Peers said the school had received a boost lately by both staying open and coming off Special Measures.

"It really is up to that school, with support, to prove themselves," he said.