COUNCILLORS debating a controversial proposal to close a comprehensive school in Torfaen were yesterday told there was "not really any alternative" by their education chief.

Director for education Mike de Val also said it was "extremely unlikely" the National Assembly would block plans to close Trevethin Community School in Pontypool, and send children to improved sites at Abersychan and West Monmouth School instead.

But he revealed completion of the £12.2 million project would be delayed by a year because of uncertainties over funding. Councillors debated the future of secondary school provision in north Torfaen and primary provision for the whole borough at a seminar yesterday.

Cllr Ivor Davies, member for Snatchwood accused the council of handling the situation "deplorably", and using children "as political pawns".

He added: "We have got a hell of a fight on our hands." On Friday, 300 people, including children, parents, governors and councillors, marched through the centre of the town to protest against the proposal.

They want the 400-pupil school kept open, but the council says it is no longer viable, and will need a £243,000 annual subsidy by 2007.

But acting chief executive Peter Durkin told those present: "We have not taken a decision to close Trevethin Community School, we are about to enter into a public consultation - everything is subject to consultation, we all have to keep reminding ourselves of that fact."

The public consultation is due to run from October to December. If the proposal goes ahead, the target completion date is September 2007.

* THOUSANDS of parents are to take part in a consultation exercise on the future of Torfaen's primary schools, which will lead to mergers and closures.

At a seminar yesterday, assistant director for education David Powell warned councillors one in four places in primary schools will be empty by 2008 - a total of over 2,500 surplus places. He said it was a problem which had a "major impact on every pupil".

The LEA is gearing up for a radical reorganisation in a bid to make savings. Surplus places currently cost Torfaen £360,000 - a figure which could rise to £500,000 in 2008.

Proposals include the amalgamation of Croesyceiliog Junior and Infants Schools, Fairwater Infants and Junior, Woodlands Infants and Junior, and Penygarn Infants and Juniors.

No schools are marked for closure at this stage, but a consultation document, to be sent to 10,000 parents, will give information on each school, including:

* Capital expenditure needs per pupil

* Percentage of surplus places in 2008

* Quality of teaching

* Pupil attainment performance compared with similar schools

Parents will be asked how they think the problem of surplus places should be resolved. Pentwyn Primary in Abersychan is forecast to have 53 per cent of its places surplus by 2008, while 49 per cent of places at Maendy Primary in Croesyceiliog will be surplus.