Under-threat Sneyd Community School could be merged with another school in the borough, Walsall’s education chief have revealed.

Controversial proposals to close the school – a decision on which was expected to made at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday – have now been deferred for more discussions to take place.

The move gives parents fighting the closure fresh hope and comes just days after it appeared the school’s fate had been sealed in a council report.

Officers said education chiefs should decide to close the school in 2010 or 2011.

But this new development would see Sneyd link with another school in a bid to raise standards. 

It has not been revealed which school it could merge with, although Sneyd currently shares a sixth form with Pool Hayes Community School in Castle Drive, Willenhall.

Parents who attended an emotional public meeting last week were set to descend on the cabinet meeting but Walsall Council leader John O’Hare, confirmed today the decision would not be made this week. He said: “Cabinet will defer a decision on the consultation of possible closure when it meets on Wednesday.”