CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a successful Dorset school from closure have been boosted by plans to hold a public meeting.

The Schools Organisational Committee agreed to go on a site visit to King Alfred's Middle School (Kams) in Shaftesbury on December 6 and hold a public meeting - date to be fixed - before making their decision on the school's future on December 17.

The committee also agreed Dorset County Council should appoint a consultant to help with the public consultation because of the complex nature of the plans.

The surprise move comes after Dorset County Council's education committee voted in June to close the school and switch from a three-tier to a two-tier school system in the town - despite 75 per cent of consultees wanting to keep Kams open.

This month the school was further boosted by a glowing Ofsted report.

Dorset LEA had been forced to review education in North Dorset in response to similar moves by neighbouring Wiltshire LEA from which many of Shaftesbury's feeder children live.

The county council argued that a two-tier system was best because it would solve difficulties over the Wiltshire intake and also strengthen the Upper School which is currently the smallest secondary school in Dorset.

However a school closure has to be approved by the Schools Organisational Committee made up of representatives including the LEA, Church and other bodies before going ahead.

Their decision has to be unanimous. A split vote would mean the matter goes to the Secretary of State for Education to decide.

Following the committee's decision to stage a public meeting first, Kams head teacher Ron Jenkinson, said: "This is tremendous news - no-one wants the closure so to have a public meeting is fabulous because it plays into our hands nicely."