WINTERTON School has to find an academy partner if it is to be saved from closure.

Facing a hall packed with parents, former governors, staff and other villagers, the chairman of the interim executive board charged with running the school challenged them to “coerce, convince or whatever” someone to become a partner.

In a meeting that was tense at times the board was accused of giving the much-loved school the kiss of death and failing to explore every possible way to keep it open.

But John Organ said: “I do not want this school to be closed. Believe me we did not expect to be standing here consulting on a closure.”

He said it was a bombshell when he received the consultation notification.

It was triggered by falling pupil numbers that meant the budget was not sustainable. Difficulty in recruiting a permanent head teacher and a requires improvement rating from Ofsted have added to the school’s woes.

Asked what was needed to save it, he said: “I need a partner. A multi-academy trust with experienced governance, not just a good head teacher. Also one that will be able to help the school financially going forward.”

The room was told the board had been tasked with finding academy partners for the school. But although two had expressed an interest, both had withdrawn. In a statement one had cited the small size of the school as the biggest problem.

Mum Claire Carless said she was told by the Diocese of Norwich, which owns part of the building, it had not been involved in the discussions to turn it into an academy. “How can that happen?” she asked.

The board should have made contact. “If you are going to save this school you have got to do the phone calling and the emailing.

“My kid’s here until the day it shuts. My kid loves the school, my kid loves the teachers,” she said.

The board was taken to task on the proposed December 31 closure date if the decision to close is taken.

Gino Farace, chairman of a committee formed to save the school, accused the county council of bullying the parents by putting the date on the timetable. “Why not let them have a full school year?” he suggested.

A mother told the panel: “No parent in their right mind that has a child going into year six is going to have their child here in September. You have put a gun to our heads.” Parents would have to move their children and then the authority would be able to justify the closure.

A member of staff said: “It has not given them enough time. It is not fair to the parents, it is not fair to the children.”

“As staff our main concern is not for our jobs. Our main concern is the children.”

The lack of places at Hembsy was highlighted by parents along with the fact that there were several pupils at Winterton with special educational needs, potentially placing an extra burden on the neighbouring school.

Concern was also expressed that the closure was likely to result in siblings being sent to different schools in the area, including Caister and Flegg.

A former chairman of governors pointed out the school’s ethos had always been that all the pupils were equal. But in this case Winterton children were not equal to others. “You have actually put the kiss of death on the school.”

The board was challenged over the demand for school places that was expected to increase with planned housing development in the village.

Norfolk County Council schools organisation manager Caroline Money responded that they were aware of the number of homes with planning permission, as well as the number in the emerging local plan. But the prediction was that there was enough capacity for the next five years.

She also pointed out 30 per cent of children in Winterton already went to school out of the village.

The meeting was part of a six-week consultation ending on July 24. After that the board will report to Norfolk County Council’s executive director of children’s services who will decide on whether to next statutory public notice stage lasting four weeks. When that ends the director will decide on closure.

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