THE head teacher of a Gwent foundation school, Cwmcarn High School, says the local council cannot force his governing body to accept a reduction in its catchment area.

The change is planned under proposals by Caerphilly council to close Oakdale Comprehensive School because of falling rolls, and reorganise secondary education in Islwyn.

When Caerphilly council's cabinet members made the decision to consult on closing Oakdale Comprehensive last month, they also agreed to consult on rationalising catchment areas in Islwyn and 'normalising the relationship' with Cwmcarn High School.

A council consultation document sets out proposals to reduce Cwmcarn High School's feeder primaries from four to two - Abercarn and Cwmcarn, which it now shares with Newbridge.

It currently has two other feeder schools, Waunfawr in Crosskeys and Risca Primary, which it shares with Risca Comprehensive.

But Cwmcarn High's headteacher Bill Beales was adamant yesterday the school could not be forced into change by the local education authority - and the governing body would be unlikely to agree to do so unless it was for the benefit of the school.

"They can't change our catchment area - we are our own admissions authority and establish our own admissions procedures,' he said.

Mr Beales said the consultation document appeared to suggest Cwmcarn would have a Year 7 intake of just 55 pupils in 2007, if the proposals went ahead, which would raise 'big questions' and serious issues.

At present, he said, the school, a foundation school since 1999, takes around 140 to 150 new pupils a year.

"The implication is that with the change in catchment areas, this school would not appear to grow," he said.

"Blackwood, Newbridge and Pontllanfraith would all have six feeder schools but Cwmcarn would only have two.

"If the governing body considers this proposal would harm us in terms of our growth they are very unlikely to relinquish foundation status.

This is one of the best-performing schools in the county borough. 62 per cent of pupils gained five or more A to C grades at GCSEthis year."

The council's director of education is understood to be due to meet governors this week.