SMALL schools in South Gloucestershire have been on the agenda at Westminster as ministers were asked to support them and their future.

Northavon MP Steve Webb made his case to the Department of Education and Skills to protect schools such as Horton Primary and Oldbury on Severn Primary, which have 31 and 50 pupils respectively.

After recently visiting the two schools, Mr Webb wants the Government to do more to protect them.

The MP argued against pressure to be put on South Gloucestershire Council to carry out a review into the viability of small schools, which he says, inevitably cost more to run than their larger equivalents.

Mr Webb said: "I hope that this debate will help the Government to see the importance of small schools and do more to see that such schools have a bright future.

"One of the special features of our area is the small village schools which provide a unique educational experience for children. The staff, parents and governors at such schools very often go well beyond the call of duty to make sure that these schools prosper, whether by helping to maintain the schools, in fundraising or in other ways.

"Such schools are greatly prized by their own village and form a community where children of different ages work together and take responsibility for each other."

Mr Webb told the Gazette he was pleased with the positive response he had received from the government and that the presumption of closure of rural schools had dropped "dramatically".

He added: "We should celebrate the things that small schools do - rather than penalise them.

"This cannot just be about money. It is about education, but communities as well."

No schools in South Gloucestershire are currently targeted for closure but the council will, in line with Government requirements, report on its school's organisation plan in the Autumn.

Education supremo Cllr Sheila Cook said projective numbers will be reviewed so the council can plan places "sensibly".