AS THE debate surrounding the future of Fort Hill Community School rages on, one of the services offered at the school feels like it is being “overlooked”.

Castle Hill pre-school operates in the grounds of the school, in Kenilworth Road, but feels like it has been overshadowed since the announcement of the proposed amalgamation of Fort Hill and Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College (CBEC).

In the 17 years the pre-school has been running it has gained a reputation as a good stepping stone for early years’ education.

In its last Ofsted report inspectors gave it a “good” rating and now with the concerns of possible closure, nursery manager Des Martin said she is worried parents will be put off using its services.

She told The Gazette: “We have had quite a few prospective parents who are looking to enrol their child for next year have some reservations as everything is still quite uncertain.

“Even parents we have built a relationship with and have children at the school have said they we worried that we could end up closing.”

The pre-school is an independent, committee-run, notfor-profit charity pre-school and currently has 40 children on its register.

It could be the latest service which could potentially be taken away from Winklebury, following the closure of the doctors’ surgery and the now planned closure of Fort Hill.

Des added: “We have been saving to purchase our own building, but as a charity the right option has not come up, so we aren’t exactly sure what would happen if Fort Hill was forced to close.”

The pre-school has been told by Hampshire Country Council that it needs to make its voice heard during the consultation period to get the best outcome.

Councillor Peter Edgar HCC’s executive member for education, said: “It is imperative that we consult with parents, staff and the local community in order to collect a range of views before making any decisions. As part of this process, it is important also to consider other options.”

As previously reported in The Gazette a consultation on the proposals will run until March 2. The petition set up to save the school has now reached more than 2,000 signatures.