A TWO-WEEK consultation with parents and staff could decide the fate of a popular Southampton school.

education bosses are thinking of closing Moorlands Infant to try and solve the problem of falling pupil numbers in the city.

The proposal is just one of six options being put forward to cut the number of spare places in the Bitterne and Townhill Park area due to falling birth rates.

The consultation will be launched by city education chiefs on November 29, members of the city's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet were told.

Education chiefs revealed at the meeting that saving the school as a "single-entry" primary school was "viable" - providing city education chiefs spend £310,000 upgrading its facilities.

Southampton City Council's Cabinet member for lifelong learning and training Councillor Calvin Horner told Cabinet members: "The issue of surplus places needs to be examined in a wider context."

Head teachers from Glenfield Infant, Beechwood Junior and Townhill Junior all called on the council to reconsider closing Moorlands, which currently has 97 pupils aged four to seven on its roll, during a school places review.

City bosses have put forward the closure with a proviso that the building in Kesteven Way continue to be used for education and community use.

Other options put forward include the merging of Beechwood Junior with Glenfield Infant and merging Harefield Infant and junior schools.

Townhill Infant school could also be forced to admit fewer pupils under the plans. Public meetings for teachers, parents, governors and residents will be held from November 29.

Campaigners managed to persuade city bosses to keep the school open earlier this year and have vowed to fight to save the facility.

Moorlands parents' spokesman, Jo Barnard welcomed the conclusion of the study. She said: "The school still has the support of parents and the community and if the council has proved it is viable that is lovely."