A date has been fixed for a decision on three small Bristol schools, that have had the axe looming over them for eight months.

The city council's Labour-run cabinet will decide on Monday January 26 whether to go ahead with the closures of St Pius X Catholic Primary in Withywood, St George's Church of England Primary in the city centre, and Stockwood Green Primary.

The full council voted on Tuesday to "actively consider alternatives" to shutting the schools – but the final say will go to the cabinet, on the recommendation of the executive member for children, Peter Hammond.

Supporters of the schools are expected to turn out in force for the meeting, which takes place at the Council House at 5pm.

Each is fighting for its future, with the strong backing of staff, governors, children, parents, the local community and opposition councillors.

Tony Halloran, head of St Pius, said: "We have increased our roll by more than 50 per cent in the last two years and we have many parents who want their children to start here in September.

"Staff are obviously worried but they have continued looking after and developing our children – and they want to carry on doing that."

Children from St George's held up 'Save Our School' banners outside last week's council meeting.

Antonia McDonald, aged nine, said: "St George's is really good because it is an old school. You can learn a lot of history. My nan went to the school.

"The teachers are extremely nice and so are the children. If they close the school I don't think Bristol will be the same without it."

Imogen Blackmore, eight, said: "I don't want it to close at all. It is so friendly. I want to stay here until I go to secondary school."

A cross-party working group will meet again before Monday's cabinet meeting and will look at ideas for the schools including:

Look more closely at the refurbishment proposals for St George's and St Michael on the Mount C of E School, including looking at increasing the size of St George's to meet the demand for school places in the city centre;

Work with the Clifton Catholic diocese on a plan for its south Bristol primaries that addresses surplus places and keep St Pious;

Work with councillors, head teachers and governors of all three schools in Stockwood to cut surplus places by a partnership or federation, instead of closing Stockwood Green.

The proposed closures are part of a city-wide review of schools for pupils aged four to 11. A decision has to be made before the end of the month, when the council has to resubmit its bid for £12 million from the Government for primary school rebuilding.