Eight-Nil: Kent School Board Reject Harcourt / Morehall Merger Plan

3.41.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Sep 2006

The Kent School Organisation Advisory Board has voted unanimously against the merger of Harcourt and Morehall Primary Schools in a meeting at Sessions House in Maidstone today. The meeting received the report on the public consultation on the proposals, which received almost 1,000 responses, of which just three were in favour of the merger.

The final decision on whether the merger proposal should be ditched will be made by Kent County Councillor and Education Portfolio holder John Simmonds in the next week. Although he could decide to ignore the Boards vote, to do so to a unanimous recommendation would be very unusual.

Parents and Governors from Harcourt School were at the meeting to hear the debate and see the vote, along with Cheriton Councillors Peter Gane, Lynne Smith and Tim Prater.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard and County Councillor Roland Tolputt both spoke against the merger proposal to the Conservative dominated committee.

The result was the best possible news that Harcourt and Morehall Schools could have received. Cheriton town Councillor Tim Prater said:

"This is a superb result for parent power. Many board members acknowledged the huge response against the closure of the Harcourt site. That response, and the hard work of parents, governors and others have been the reason that we've had this great result today.

"It's only right to acknowledge that Michael Howard has worked very hard alongside the Save Harcourt campaign, and the presentations from him and Cllr Tolputt today were strong and persuasive - thanks to both for their efforts.

"I hope John Simmonds will now listen to the Board, and dismiss these merger proposals as soon as possible. Both Harcourt and Morehall need to be able to look forward with certainty and plan for the future, to continue to push up standards at both schools as they have been doing."