A LIFELINE for a failing school has been unveiled by neighbouring councillors attempting to keep hundreds of Reading pupils from having to move elsewhere.

Chiltern Edge Community School was plunged into special measures following a damning Ofsted visit earlier this year and Oxfordshire County Council is deciding whether or not to keep the school open.

More than 400 children from Reading attend the school and could be forced to relocate, but a potential sponsor could save the school at the eleventh hour.

Maiden Erlegh Trust has been named by Oxfordshire representatives as a possible sponsor, which would see the school become an academy.

Save Our Edge campaigner Charlie Holloway said: "We are feeling very positive about the prospective sponsor. Maiden Erlegh looks to have an excellent reputation.

"All focus is now on the Oxfordshire cabinet meeting when members will decide if they will be going ahead with a formal closure consultation.

"While things are looking far more positive, closure is not yet off the table and we will continue to do our best to fight our campaign."

Chiltern Edge was rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted and a new head teacher was appointed to ensure long-term changes were implemented.

A public consultation, which ended on June 16, attracted heavy criticism from parents and campaigners, who feared their children would have to move school.

Reading and Oxfordshire officials met last month to discuss alternatives for keeping the school open, while Councillor Tony Jones suggested his Oxfordshire counterparts had not tried hard enough before launching the consultation.

The lead member for Education added:"I believe it is important to end the current uncertainty and anxiety and I call on my Oxfordshire counterpart, Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, to bring an end to any thoughts of closure at the cabinet meeting."

"We look forward to working with Oxfordshire and other potential partners to secure a positive future for Chiltern Edge School which will result in the improvements required by Ofsted."

A report will be presented to the Oxfordshire council's cabinet on July 18 for a decision on the school's future.