By Stewart Paterson and Caroline Wilson

PARENTS are planning to stage protests outside meetings between education bosses and head teachers about controversial school closures.

The Glasgow Save Our Schools Campaign is demanding parents are included in meetings to discuss preparations to axe 11 primaries and 9 nurseries across the city.

Two weeks ago the council's Labour group sparked protests, including a lock-in at Wyndford and St Gregory's primaries in Maryhill, when it voted for the closure plans.

The decision was approved last week at a full council meeting, pushed through by the Labour group's majority.

However, parents have promised to fight on and are preparing to mount possible legal challenges against the closures.

A council spokeswoman confirmed meetings were taking place next week with individual head teachers to discuss the transfer of pupils to receiving schools, but refused to comment further.

However, Richie Venton, of the Glasgow Save Our Schools Campaign, said: "This meeting is typical of the Labour council's methods. It is secretive and parents discovered the meetings by chance.

"Parents and carers whose children are threatened with traumatic moves were not even informed, let alone invited to it. Parents are demanding an invitation to the meetings.

"We condemn the council for excluding the very people whose families are at risk from their cuts.

"The schools are still there and the will to resist closures has hardened "

Meanwhile, First Minister Alex Salmond has said he is willing to meet parents in Glasgow to discuss the closure plans.

Mr Salmond was challenged by Glasgow LibDems' MSP Robert Brown at First Minister's Questions yesterday over what he said was "tit-for-tat" between the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council blaming each other over the funding while the closures will go ahead.

Mr Salmond said: "Glasgow City Council has said its education budget has been rising. How can that translate into less teachers and less schools? I genuinely don't understand that.

"It is a question Glasgow City Council should give an answer to."

Mr Salmond said all parties involved should meet to discuss the problems and added: "We will be very happy to arrange meetings with concerned parents."