‘Dismay’ at recommendation to close Chichester school

Campaigners are ‘dismayed’ at recommendations to permanently close a Chichester school.
ks20083-2 Rumboldswyke Meeting  phot kate
Supporters of Rumboldswhyke School outside the Assembly Rooms in Chichester.ks20083-2 SUS-200303-190946008ks20083-2 Rumboldswyke Meeting  phot kate
Supporters of Rumboldswhyke School outside the Assembly Rooms in Chichester.ks20083-2 SUS-200303-190946008
ks20083-2 Rumboldswyke Meeting phot kate Supporters of Rumboldswhyke School outside the Assembly Rooms in Chichester.ks20083-2 SUS-200303-190946008

Rumboldswhyke Primary’s future has been uncertain ever since last year when West Sussex County Council identified it as one of five small ‘potentially vulnerable’ schools.

Campaigners and parents have strongly made the case for the school to remain open and presented a petition of more than 3,000 signatures in support to County Hall.

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But following a six-week consultation earlier this year, council officers are now recommending closure by September.

Nigel Jupp, cabinet member for education and skills, is set to make a decision later this month.

Campaigners said they are ‘dismayed’ by the recommendation, especially as in normal times the size of the petition would normally have guaranteed an opportunity to make their case to full council, but because of the coronavirus lockdown the decision will be made by cabinet members behind closed doors.

Only a task and finish group meeting will scrutinise the recommendation, but this will happen on Tuesday (April 7) virtually without any public access.

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Sarah Sharp, a Green district councillor for Chichester South and chair of the Friends of Rumboldswhyke, said: “The petition is evidence of clear and widespread public interest in the issue. The usual process has been pulled, and with it the chance for a proper debate in public. It’s not only the scaled down cabinet that’s worrying, it’s also the scaled back task and finish group which will be making recommendations to the cabinet.

“Both these sets of discussions about futures of several West Sussex schools will now take place virtually in private. Is this the way we want to make decisions in a democracy, within a council so recently deemed at risk of failing its communities?”

She added: “The coronavirus pandemic is having huge ramifications, making us rethink priorities. What I have noticed in my ward is how neighbours are pulling together, and some of that is due to relationships forged by parents who know each other through the school. But this seems to have passed the county council by. They are as intent as ever on closure, which in any case looks to have been pre-decided at least by 29th April 2019 according to a Freedom of Information request we received.”

Mrs Sharp has raised concerns that, if the virus continues to keep schools closed and communities in lockdown, parents and children from Rumboldswhyke will almost certainly not be able to have proper transition arrangements to find a new school before next September.

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She added: “This is not a compassionate way to treat children and families at a time of crisis. I can’t see anywhere in this that ‘children first’ policy is being adhered to.”

Mrs Sharp has asked the council if a recording of the virtual meeting will be made available for constituents to listen to afterwards, adding: “The whole consultation has been shambolic from the start, and that is why we have found ourselves having to raise funds to pay a solicitor to fight a county council intent on not listening to people’s views.”

Clapham and Patching near Worthing is the other school facing closure. Both Stedham near Midhurst and Compton & Up Marden are progressing federation proposals.

Meanwhile Warninglid would relocate to a new site in Pease Pottage while also federate with another school.

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Mr Jupp said: “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to consultations on the future of these schools. Along with my fellow cabinet members, I am now carefully considering the feedback in appreciation of the significance of these decisions.

“Despite the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, we are keen to ensure the decisions on these schools are not delayed and impact on the start of the new academic year. For everyone who may be affected, council staff will continue to work with parents, carers and pupils to meet their needs and, if required their transition to suitable alternatives.”

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