Folkestone Town Council Backs Harcourt School Campaign

1.01.36pm GMT Fri 14th Jul 2006

Folkestone Town Council last night backed a motion against the proposed closure of Harcourt School. The motion was proposed and seconded by Cheriton Lib Dem Councillors Tim Prater and Peter Gane, and means the Town Council will also be adding its backing to those opposing the closure in the Kent County Council consultation which closes today.

The motion was backed by 13 councillors, with 1 abstention. The motion reads:

"This council rejects the closure of Harcourt Primary School, dressed as the merger of Harcourt Primary School in Cheriton with Morehall Primary school onto the Morehall site.

"This Council believes both schools should be retained, with Morehall Primary School becoming a one form entry school.

"This Council further believes the children's centre proposed for Folkestone West could be based at Morehall Primary School, to provide the services to Cheriton, Morehall and Sandgate.

"The six week public consultation on the "merger" of Harcourt and Morehall Primary Schools ends on 14 July.

This Council instructs the Town Clerk to write to Kent County Council before the closure of the consultation to convey this Councils rejection of the merger proposal."

Proposing the motion, Tm Prater said:

"Kent have submitted proposals to close a number of schools across Kent, as they argue that with falling numbers of children, we need less schools.

"Many of us could argue that other areas have thought more creatively about this, and come up with ways to use this opportunity to improve educational standards.

"For instance, Scotland has moved to maximum class sizes of 25 for primary schools, as smaller class sizes are proved to be better for pupils, and allow them to learn faster. It's a shame Kent has not chosen to follow Scotland's example, and has instead chosen to stick with classes of 30.

"However, until Kent County Council chooses to invest more in our Children's future, we will be faced by increasing numbers of school closure proposals.

"As Kent requires alternative proposals, rather than simply a "Save Our School" motion, that is what the motion in front of you presents. Following this proposal would retain both schools, and put the proposed Children's Centre in Morehall, at the heart of the community it will be designed to serve.

"Kent's proposal would close a fast improving school on an excellent site, with a dedicated head & teachers, fantastic parental support, and a strong Governing Body chaired by Cllr Peter Gane and including Cllr Lynne Smith.

"Please support the motion, so that tomorrow morning, the strong support of Folkestone Town Council can be added to the many hundreds of parents, local residents, and I hope Councillors colleagues who have already submitted their views."