A BASINGSTOKE secondary school is under threat of closing due to decreasing number of pupils on the school roll.

Fort Hill Community School could merge with Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College (CBEC) as part of a decision made by the governing body which runs both schools to enhance future education.

Yesterday Hampshire County Council (HCC) launched a consultation to get parents and residents views on the proposed amalgamation.

Concerns were raised by chair of governors of the federation which oversees the schools, John Crawford, who requested in a letter to the council that the schools be merged at the bigger CBEC site, in Wessex Close.

In the letter from the county council to parents it stated that “low numbers, when combined with a reduced budget, limits a school’s ability to provide an appropriately broad curricular and extra curriculum offer.”

Only 39 pupils submitted an application for this September’s intake at Fort Hill out of the 145 places available in Year 7, while Cranbourne has also only been selected as a first preference by 47 youngsters so far.

Therefore an amalgamation is believed to be the best way forward.

Parents and residents have already voiced their worries about what will happen to the staff and the Fort Hill site.

A letter from Fort Hill headteacher, Vicky Essex said: “These are challenging times for the school and our community. We have always prided ourselves on being a small school and the advantages that this can offer.

“However, there will come a point in the very near future that dwindling student numbers mean that it will become increasingly difficult to continue to offer future students the high standard of education that they deserve.”

The consultation will run until March 2, with a number of drop-in events during this period. These will be at Fort Hill, on February 8. From 4.30.pm to 6.30pm. At CBEC on February 9 at the same time and Westside Community Centre on February 15 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Councillor Peter Edgar, HCC’s executive member for Education said: “From what I have seen of the position of both schools, it is clear that action must be taken.

“The proposal, from the Federation’s governing body, to amalgamate both schools seems to me to be a practical proposal.

“However, it is imperative that we consult with parents, staff and the local community in order to collect a range of views before making any final decisions. As part of this process, it is important also to consider other possible options.”

To comment on the consultation visit hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/forthillandcbec.

Let us know what you think of the proposed amalgamation e-mail newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk. Read the full story in next Thursday’s Gazette.