DOCUMENTS obtained by parents fighting the closure of a Newport school show that the council had decided on its future as far back as the summer of 2003, protestors claim.

Using the Freedom of Information Act, Malpas Park Action Group asked Newport council for details on the closure of the school.

Among the documents they received were minutes from a meeting held in August 2003 which put forward just one option for dealing with the perceived problem of surplus places in the area - closing Malpas Park and Malpas Court and creating one school on the site of Malpas Court.

Jane Mudd, one of the group and a parent governor, said: "The first we heard of re-organisation was when the governing body was informed in November 2003 that the council was looking at surplus places across Newport."

In March 2004, three options for Malpas were being put forward but the parents claim this was just paying lip service to the democratic process.

"The decision had already been made behind closed doors but the figures they are using to base this on are actually being manipulated.

"I really believe they did not think the community would question this."

The parents take issue with the council's assertion that the schools in the area are only at 71 per cent occupancy.

They say only Malpas Court is substantially under-occupied while Malpas Park and Malpas Church schools are practically full.

Mrs Mudd said the authority had not considered the fact that Newport's population was predicted to increase in the near future.

She also insists the area needs three schools because of the planned changes with the early years curriculum.

These will mean more room will be needed as lessons for younger pupils will be based around play.

Mrs Mudd also says there is a National Assembly policy aimed at surplus places which suggests that vacant parts of schools could be used as a wider community resource.

She believes Malpas Court School would be ideal for this.

"We believe the council is missing a fantastic opportunity to be innovative," she said.

A spokesman for Newport council said: "The consultation process is currently being carried out as part of the council's determination to provide the best education for all children in the Malpas area."