Petition calls for county council to build new primary school

A petition, called ‘Build a new Primary School in Hassocks’, was launched on the change.org website and, within 19 hours, had attracted 76 signatures.

Parents and grandparents were among those who signed the petition, which described the pressure being placed on other local schools while Hassocks youngsters were having to travel outside the area for classes.

The petition called for the county council to do four things:

Investigate possible land for the building of the primary school as soon as possible;

Make funds available for the building of the primary school as soon as possible;

Fully consult with local residents on any proposals; and

Take emergency action to intake to Hassocks Infants the Hassocks children that have not been placed at the school from September 2015, until the new school is made available.

The petition stated: “This year, for the second time since 2009, Hassocks Infants cannot accommodate all of the children of school starting age that live within the Hassocks Infants catchment area.”

With the building of 250 new homes at Clayton Mills, the petitioners were concerned schools such as Hassocks Infants and Windmills Junior School would bear the burden of an increasing population.

Sarah Lessacher, of Hassocks, wrote: “Children who have built up valued and special friendships with other children within the local playgroups should be going to the same school as their peers.”

Anna Cronin, of Worthing, added: “It is unbelievable that my granddaughter, who lives literally opposite the school, has not got a place.

“A bit of forward planning and the provision of sufficient school places within the community should be a compulsory requirement of all new housing development.”

The petition can be viewed and signed via the change.org website.

What do you think? Does Hassocks need another primary school? Has your child been affected by the lack of spaces in the village’s schools? Contact the newsdesk.

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