VICTORY! Harcourt and Selsted Schools Will Not Close (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

VICTORY! Harcourt and Selsted Schools Will Not Close

September 15, 2006 12:19 PM

Pupils and parents demonstrate against the closure of Harcourt School A massive campaign by parents, local residents and children to save Harcourt and Selsted Schools from closure sensationally won today as Kent County Council withdrew the threat from the schools. Kent had proposed the "merger" of Harcourt with Morehall Primary School onto the Morehall site, and the complete closure of Selsted Primary.

Following a huge outcry at the initial proposals, the Kent Schools Organisation Advisory Board requested a full consultation over the spring and summer for both schools. After thousands of replies, the SOAB committee last week recommended that the Harcourt / Morehall proposals be ditched, and narrowly voted to close Selsted, leaving the final decision in both cases to John Simmonds, Kent County Councillor responsible for Education.

In both cases, John Simmonds has now withdrawn the plan, securing the future of each of the schools.

Harcourt School children and teachers had the news broken to them this morning at a special assembly after the notification was received. Chair of Governors and Lib Dem Councillor Peter Gane was thrilled and delighted at the news.

"Its been a tough campaign, but the work of local parents and residents has been fantastic - and its that support which has saved our school" said Peter.

"Everyboy who helped - signing petitions, collecting feedback forms, putting up posters and attending meetings and demonstrations has made this happen - thanks to everyone. It was a community campaign, and a community victory. We are now looking forward to planning for the future."

Town Councillor for Cheriton, which includes Harcourt, Tim Prater added:

"The meeting last week looked really hopeful after getting the support of the SOAB Committee, but this is just the best news. Harcourt and Morehall are real community schools, and we need both of them. I'm delighted the hard work of so many people has paid off - well done Cheriton.

"I'm also delighted for Selsted - the strength of support for their school was also fantastic, and they deserve their success."

Parent Costas Sotiriou, who led Selsted School's action group, said: "I'm over the moon. We have been granted this reprieve and I am confident we will be a success. I am delighted common sense has prevailed."

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