Catherine Youd said officials are "killing our community, it seems we are the only 'outstanding' school on the list, The quality awards we have worked for obviously mean nothing.

"We have a committed new headteacher just about to start and knowing we were going to close they still allowed us to go through the process of interviewing people for the job. We have even just had our building extended, and become an eco-school. These faceless suits are making decisions about people's lives," she added.

New Head of School, Christine Smith, said that the decision would devastate the local community: "I totally endorse what the governors have said, we are all so shocked at the news.

"The school has such a vital role in the community with strong links with locals and parents, and we were judged as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in our last report. We cannot believe they would consider closing such a wonderful school. We will fight the decision, I am fairly new to the school but very passionate about it," she said.

The fate of the school also has an impact on the pre-school situated in its grounds. With many of its children being siblings of those at the primary, if this closes most children will attend the pre-school where their siblings are.

Sarah Higgins, Chairman of the preschool committee said: "The group would not be viable once the school was closed, this decision has such a wide impact and will destroy the community."

SIGN THE PETITION by commenting here