CHILDREN joined striking teachers to set up a mock classroom outside county hall in protest at proposals to close their school.

The staff at Rodmell CE Primary School were joined by pupils for a protest in Lewes amid concerns that pupils would will have farther to travel if it closes.

They are also angry about the council's "undemocratic" cabinet system, which could overrule a motion laid down by councillors earlier this month voting for the school to stay open.

Outside County Hall, protesters set up a mock classroom holding a lesson about what was going on at the school.

Phil Clarke, secretary of the Lewes Eastbourne and Wealden section of the National Union of Teachers, said all teaching staff at the school took part in the strike.

He said: "The protest went really well, with all the teachers there and a lot of children from the school, too.

"The consultation shuts at the end of this week so we're hoping the combination of clear arguments made and the council motion to keep it open will be enough.

"If not, we will look at whatever means necessary to continue to highlight why the school should stay open."

East Sussex County Councillors debated the closure following a petition of more than 5,000 signatures rallying around Rodmell School, near Newhaven and another school at risk, Pells CE Primary School in Lewes. Teachers at Pells did not strike yesterday.

Mr Clarke added: "It is fundamentally undemocratic that a small group of councillors can overrule the vote of the whole council.

"We call on the cabinet members to respect the view of our elected representatives and not move to close Rodmell and Pells schools.”

Rob Webber, 39, who has two children at Rodmell, said: "My children are very happy there.

"The other schools we would have to send them to require improvement so it would be a drop in standards.

"One of the council's arguments is that not many local kids go there but there a few in the village and some in the next one too.

"I grew up in the village myself and there's a lot of support for the school.

"We hope the council will let people know what their decision is as soon as possible."