Placard-bearing pupils dem-onstrated as senior councillors voted to close their school.

Youngsters descended on the meeting of Kirklees Council's cabinet to show the strength of support for RM Grylls Middle School.

Education bosses recommended the school be shut down because of falling pupil numbers. Yesterday councillors unanimously agreed.

If closure goes ahead next year pupils will be transferred to West End Middle School in Cleckheaton which needs "minor alterations" to accommodate the extra numbers.

School governor Jeanette Peel accused the education bosses of not giving them enough chance to come up with a solution to the budget crisis - such as teachers doubling up on specialist subjects.

She asked: "Are you prepared to make a big mistake that can't be undone rather than explore every avenue to keep this school open?

"The children of Windy Bank estate will not have as good attendance at West End as RM Grylls."

Council leader Kath Pinnock said: "If the children are going to get the education they are entitled to it is unfortunately not going to be in the building called RM Grylls."

Councillor John Smithson, the Council's deputy leader, said the school was told about education bosses' fears over low intake in April.

"It does seem to me to be remiss for the school to come to this meeting at the 11th hour and say there is a plan which is feasible - it does not give anybody any confidence that this school can produce a plan that is financially viable," he said.

Councillors were told that no school in Kirklees could continue with a year group of just 15 - the number that joined RM Grylls in September.

Those calling for West End to close instead were told this would have a detrimental effect on two schools.

One parent, whose child had been to West End and left because of bullying, said her parental choice would be taken away from her if the closure were to go ahead.

Head teacher Stephen Lupton agreed the school was not viable in its present state and called for extra funding to help it through.

The school is expected to be in debt to the tune of £200,000 by the end of the current academic year.

A statutory six-week notice period will begin in January.

Just one objection will see a local School Organisation Committee deciding the school's fate.

If the committee cannot reach a unanimous decision an independent Department for Education and Skills-appointed adjudicator will step in.