Reading books line the classroom walls with pages still unturned. In the empty hall, chairs remain stacked and a blackboard offers its message of welcome to new arrivals, who are noticeably absent.

This is Garston Lane County Primary School, Wantage. And headteacher Peter Gill arrived early yesterday to prepare his first lessons in a school with just four pupils.

Helped by a part-time learning support assistant, he will now teach full-time, five days a week, ensuring that the children's education continues unhindered in a school which once had almost 200 pupils, and is now suddenly rendered full of ghosts.

The extraordinary situation has arisen because other parents have chosen to switch their children to other schools in the town while formal consultations take place over Garston Lane's closure.

Despite the cost - running into tens of thousands of pounds - Oxfordshire County Council has a legal obligation to keep the school open until the Government decides otherwise.

The school has seen its roll fall from 173 in 1989 to 75 in the last academic year. Its problems continued when an inspection by Ofsted found the school to be failing. Governors decided unanimously on closure in the interests of the children and because it was no longer viable to continue.

That decision is expected to be rubber-stamped by the Government in December.

But two sets of parents disagreed with the move and elected to keep their children at Garston Lane.

Now Bradley Collins, nine, and his seven-year-old brother Craig will share the empty classrooms and extensive grounds with sisters Zoe and Kirstie Mae Jenkins, also aged nine and seven.

For the time being at least, two other children will also attend - Coral and James Lumsdon, aged nine and six - while their Army father awaits a new posting, on the grounds that it would be unfair to let them settle in a new school only to have to move them later.

Mr Gill, 51, headteacher for 14 years, said the remaining pupils would be gently adjusted to a new school by weekly visits for swimming, assemblies and possibly PE. He said: "We are anticipating that the closure will take place at the end of term, and it is important that while they are here these visits take place for the purpose of their security and continuity.

"Of course, it is very strange and an unusual situation for me.

"Each family has its reasons for wanting them to be here and obviously they have the right to have their education continued, and we are doing this as far as we can."

Mr Gill will be supported by one of a team of five learning support assistants each day to allow him to get on with other aspects of his job, such as administrative duties.

"It's strange for me to be teaching six children full-time," he said. "In July we had four teachers and we all taught in three class groups, and I'm glad they have all gone on to other jobs.

"At the end of term I could possibly apply for another headship or for some other post. Nothing is decided yet. It is pressure, but I have a job to do here, just like everyone else, and it is important to follow it through and do the very best for the children." After lunch, the pupils careered around the empty playground and playing field like foals in an empty meadow. As they enjoyed the unusual pleasure of choosing which play equipment to use, the remaining lunchtime carer, Mary Wheeler, said she felt the absence of the missing children dreadfully. Mrs Wheeler, of Charlton Road, who has done the job for 11 years, said: "It's terrible - it feels so empty.

"When my two boys were here there were hundreds dashing about. Now look at it. It's very sad."

Mel Collins, 27, of Springfield Road, chair of the local playgroup which shares accommodation at the school, said she had not changed her views about keeping sons Bradley and Craig there, even if only for a term. "I must admit it's a bit quiet but Bradley seems OK.

"Craig was a bit worried this morning about not seeing his mates, but he said he didn't mind as he'd see them later, as they only live next door.

"I'm not happy about it closing. The way they made the decision was like they were buying a penny sweet from a shop. I was disgusted." OUR FIRST DAY

This was how the pupils spent yesterday:

*Welcome from headteacher Mr Gill followed by traditional "What I did in the holidays" written piece

*Painting and number work, then reading with Mr Gill and assistant

*After packed lunch indoors, outside to let off steam and play ball with lunchtime carer Mary Wheeler

*Back in class, learn about folk tales, one of the school plan's aspects of literacy

*Creative design for an hour before home bell sounded

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.