A SCHOOL which is to close next year because of lack of pupils and funding concerns says the decision lets down the children.

Despite previous protests, parents and governors have been forced into accepting plans by East Sussex County Council to close Rodmell CE Primary School.

But a spokesman for school said the pupils deserved better.

He said: “The council has allowed us to get to this point to prove that they were right and we feel very sad the children have been so badly treated by the people who are paid to run our education system in East Sussex.”

The school, between Lewes and Newhaven, will be closed for good in July next year after governors unanimously voted at a meeting last week that its future was no longer viable.

Rob Webber, parent governor at Rodmell School, said: “Both of my children go to the school and we have fought very hard for several months to avoid this but the school has just become untenable.

“Many parents are now struggling to find places at local schools for their children, even after being told by the council that there would be enough places available if Rodmell closed down.

“It’s a very sad situation.

“But we care about our children’s education and the standards the school would be able to provide in coming years just would not be good enough with the current budget from the council.”

Last year, the county council launched a consultation about Rodmell and Pells Primary School as part of a wider review of schools in the Lewes area, aimed at ensuring there were enough places to meet future demand.

Pells Primary School in Lewes has not yet reached a final decision after last year’s review suggested it too should close down.

Stuart Gallimore, East Sussex County Council children services director, said: “This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but our focus needs to be on giving all children in the county the best chance at reaching their full potential.”

A public meeting is being planned for parents to discuss the decision, its impact and how the school can help them find new school places for their children.