A CAMPAIGN to save a failing school from closure continues to attract criticism for putting 'unfair pressure' on teachers and children.

It is believed more than 400 students from Reading could be left without education if Chiltern Edge Community School in Sonning Common is closed by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).

The school was placed into special measures following a damning Ofsted report, which rated the overall effectiveness as 'Inadequate'.

Council chiefs from Reading and Oxford met to discuss options for keeping the school from closing down after thousands of people signed a petition to back the Save Our Edge campaign.

Jo Lovelock, leader of Reading Borough Council said: “No one wants to see the school close, but there must be a solution which delivers the improvements Ofsted have said are necessary.

“This is about finding a way to improve the education of children and not just those currently attending Chiltern Edge, but those who might attend in the future.

“Both councils are continuing to work closely together during the consultation period to identify potential options to keep the school open.”

OCC launched a public consultation following the Ofsted rating to determine if Chiltern Edge should close.

A number of existing pupils and parents campaigned against the plans and the leaders of Save our Edge have slammed the consultation for putting pressure on the school.

Charlie Holloway and Gemma Levy added: “Parents with children happy at the school are being pressured into removing their children from the school under threat of closure against their wishes.

“Keeping the consultation running is placing unfair pressure on parents, students and teachers.

“The new interim head is due to produce a full action plan after the half term.”

The leaders of Save our Edge added: “We find it unacceptable that OCC would continue with this consultation and cause the students at the school the unnecessary stress and upset over the half term.

“We call on Ian Hudspeth [leader of OCC] to end the consultation immediately.”

The consultation runs until June 16.

Visit www.change.org/p/oxfordshire-local-authority-save-chiltern-edge-school-from-closure to sign the petition.