A special assembly was being held at a Walsall school threatened with closure today after pupils and parents were left reeling at the controversial plans.

Head of Sneyd Community School Dr Sean Sweeney said he would be discussing the plans at a hastily-arranged meeting after they were revealed in yesterday’s Express & Star.

The youngsters were being told that no decision had yet been made, but leaked secret papers outlined five options, all of which ended in the closure of the school. The preferred option being put forward by education chiefs is to shut it by August 2010.

Dr Sweeney said: “I spoke to staff yesterday about the situation and I have sent a letter home to parents.”

“I will be holding an assembly this morning with pupils to remind them that no decision has been made.”

Walsall education chiefs have blamed the proposed closure on dwindling numbers of pupils, which have fallen by more than a quarter over the last three years, from 1,395 to 929.

Mental health nurse Julie Simkiss, 42, from Coltham Road, Willenhall, has a son in year 10 at the school. “I think it’s a massive upheaval for all the children at what is a crucial stage in their lives,” she said.