Headteacher Claire Heskins said she was "cautiously optimistic" as others in the room agreed a case needed to be built not if, but when this issue comes around again.

Trevor Davies, county councillor for the Whittington ward which covers Selattyn said: "The policy is still in place, it has not been overturned yet, we must keep the fight going."

The school intend to make it as difficult as possible for the council to enforce closure, by reinforcing its position in the heart of the community, "It's your school and your community, come and make use of us," said Claire Heskins.

Ideas put forward in the meeting last week include using the facilities for classes and groups to meet, a breakfast and after school club for the children, a youth club, and a Parent and Toddler group.

Long term possibilities being seriously considered include a nursery and an extra classroom, though this will depend on challenging the admissions policy as the school are currently capped at 10 pupils per
year.

Pledges

The school admit that parking can be issue, some parents already car pool, and this could be encouraged further.

Nikki Hill, Chairman of Governors at the school said: "We must be forward thinking and positive to take Selattyn forward."

There were many pledges of support on the night and many people with the determination that won the school reprieve from closure to bring these ideas to life. Selattyn will need continuous support and involvement from the whole community to build on its success and keep the school and the community going well into the future.

• Shropshire County Council is calling for village schools to talk to them on how to find an alternative to school closure.

Councillor Malcolm Pate, Leader, Shropshire County Council said: "Now that the decision has been taken not to proceed with the consultation on the potential closure of the 22 village schools, we must invite teachers, governors, and stakeholders to talk to us, and are pleased some already have, on an alternative voluntary way forward.

"We must work to protect our small rural schools network whilst at the same time protecting the larger primary schools. We must, all of us, continue to lobby Central Government for a Fair Education Funding settlement for Shropshire.

"If Shropshire were funded at the English county council's average, then this problem would not be with us. This is a national scandal, which affects many county education authorities across the country where money has been diverted from rural areas to protect urban schools. In parts of London, the schools receive double the amount per pupil than we receive here in Shropshire.

Challenge

"I am very concerned at the way this issue has been politicised, especially when fingers have been pointed at schools which were never going to be on any list.

"I believe the best way forward is to have a cross party Policy Commission and to that end I have placed on the agenda of the next Cabinet meeting a recommendation to do just that.

"I issue this challenge to all the people who demonstrated outside Shirehall last Wednesday. Stand side-by-side with us to make sure that Central Government understands the needs of rural areas and the need for fair funding for Shropshire's education."