CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a Gwent school must wait until the end of January before a decision is made on its future.

Assembly education minister Jane Davidson will decided whether Ponthir Voluntary Controlled School is to close, or remain open as a faith school, after considering detailed reports from Torfaen council, as well as submissions from local campaigners.

The council voted to close Ponthir, along with Pentwyn primary in Abersychan, last June.

Campaigners expected a decision last week, when the closure of Pentwyn was confirmed.

In December the council's cabinet approved plans to close Brookfield primary in Cwmbran.

Ponthir governor Howard Thompson said he was "daring to hope" the delay was a positive sign.

He said: "The longer it goes on the more hopeful we feel, and I think it does play into our hands - but I am not counting my chickens.

"Ultimately, if the minister agrees with the council we are ready to take the matter to a judicial review - it's far from over."

The school was earmarked for closure more than a year ago, along with Pentwyn and Brookfield primaries, as part of a reorganisation.

Education chiefs expect 2,500 surplus places in Torfaen by 2008 - one in four primary school places. The figure currently stands at more than 1,600, and costs the LEA around £360,000 a year.

The three schools were chosen by assessing the quality of teaching, pupil performance, and the number of surplus places.

Ponthir scores highly on teaching standards and pupil performance, but the education department says 44% of its places will be surplus by 2008. As well as lobbying all 60 assembly members, campaigners applied to make Ponthir a faith school.

The school is currently voluntary controlled, meaning the local authority has the largest input in its running.

Campaigners hope to see it become voluntary aided, which would place it mostly under control of the Church in Wales.

An Assembly spokeswoman said the minister hoped to make a decision by the end of January.