Key Week for Harcourt and Morehall Primary Schools
The key Kent School Organisation Advisory Board (SOAB) meets this Thursday 7 September in Maidstone to consider the future of Harcourt and Morehall Primary Schools in Folkestone. Kent had proposed the "merger" of the two schools onto the Morehall school site, closing Harcourt Primary School, and have been strongly opposed by local parents, residents and the Shepway Lib Dem team amongst others.
The report of the consultation held over this summer has been released in advance of the meeting, and shows the huge range of opposition to the proposals. Despite the merger proposal coming from Tory controlled Kent County Council, Tory MP Michael Howard and Conservative County Councillor Roland Tolputt are amongst those to come out against the proposals.
Of 957 responses received and listed in the report, 3 were in favour of the proposal and 954 were against. Bodies against the merger include Folkestone Town Council and Shepway District Council - both of which passed Lib Dem proposed motions against the school closures, and the Governing bodies of both Harcourt and Morehall Primary Schools.
Cheriton Town Councillor Tim Prater commented:
"The huge response against this proposal is the clearest possible sign that this merger must be stopped. Local parents are against. Local children are against. Local councillors are against. Local councils are against. The local MP is against. The schools governing bodies are against. It's one of the clearest reports ever - there is huge opposition to this merger.
"The SOAB committee must listen on Thursday, and throw out these proposals. By doing so, they will safe-guard the future of these two improving schools, so both can continue to serve the area and community."
The report will be considered and SOAB committee will make their recommendation on the future of the schools on Thursday 7th September from 10am in the Council Chamber, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone. The meeting is open to the public.
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