THE decision to close Llanfoist Primary School and send pupils to an expanded neighbouring school is to be reviewed in November.

In July 2002 Monmouthshire County Council decided to expand Govilon Primary School and close Llanfoist Primary School, rather than build a new area primary school at Llanfoist.

The council had earmarked 12 schools for closure, but this has now been reduced to seven, including Llanfoist.

At a public meeting called by the Llanfoist School Action Group, parent Sian Walbyoff said: "If the council closes Llanfoist school and our children have to go to Govilon they will be taken by bus.

"The council will create a bus pull-in in the centre of Govilon by the main road, so the children will be walking between the houses to get to school.

"Will they be supervised to ensure no child drifts on to the road, and who will ensure they reach the classroom safely?"

She said the present Llanfoist school had leaking classrooms which were cold in winter and too hot in summer: the village needed a new school.

The general feeling of the meeting was summed up by Llanfoist governor Charles Raymond who said Govilon parents should be brought on board.

He added: "We need a brand new school and the best place is Llanfoist. We need to try and persuade Govilon people it's the best place because a purpose-built school will have room to move and park."

David Best, chairman of the action group said a new school was estimated to take up 25,000 square metres, but the Govilon site was less than half that size.

He said the council's chief executive Elizabeth Raikes had written to the action group to say the council decision on the Govilon option would be reviewed in November.

Everyone agreed a meeting should be held soon with Govilon parents.