THE decision to close a Basingstoke secondary school could have taken a step closer to becoming reality with the publication of a key Hampshire County Council report.

Fort Hill Community School, in Winklebury, has been under threat of closure since the county council announced it proposed to merge the school with Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College (CBEC) back in January.

Public notice was given earlier this year to begin the first phase of the closure of the Basingstoke secondary school following a decision made by executive member for education Cllr Peter Edgar at his decision day meeting on March 20.  

After a second period of consultation, the county council has now published another report which will be heard at a final decision day meeting on Monday next week. 

The report recommends the county council approves a proposal to close the school in Kenilworth Road. The report adds: “That support is offered, to those pupils currently on the roll of Fort Hill Community School in years 7 and 8 who will transfer to CBEC in September 2017, with travel between the two schools at the beginning and end of the school day.”

If the proposals are approved, Fort Hill will close to students on August 31, 2017.