Thousands back petition to save West Sussex primary schools

In one final push for West Sussex County Council to scrap plans to close Rumboldswhyke and Clapham and Patching schools, campaigners handed in the updated petition at County Hall on Friday (March 13).

The official consultation period ends today (Monday, March 16) at 5pm, ahead of a full council meeting on April 3, where all county councillors will consider the petition and hear concerns from campaigners.

A Save Rumboldswhyke School spokesperson said: “The teachers, staff, parents, pupils and residents of these small villages and distinctive urban communities feel that the county council is proposing to have part of their history and a key part of their community ripped away. In particular, there has been no regard to parental choice, particularly the preference of many parents to have a smaller, more nurturing environment.

“We are concerned that our views have failed to be properly represented to councillors through the usual channels.”

The group said it was ‘about time’ that councillors heard their concerns, first hand.

The petition also mentioned Stedham Primary School, near Midhurst, which was saved from closure after federating with Harting Primary School in Petersfield.

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