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Education chiefs vote in favour of 4-18 Hungerford school





Last week the Hungerford edition of the Newbury Weekly News revealed how the proposals were due to be considered by West Berkshire Council’s executive committee.
Education portfolio holder Irene Neill (Con, Aldermaston) said the school currently has 430 pupils, which was an insufficient number for it to function with the funds available.
She said she believes that, because the school was built to take around 750 pupils, it should be remodelled to incorporate a primary school.
Last Thursday, the Executive voted in favour of the proposals to redesignate the establishment as an ‘all through’ school for pupils aged four to 18 years.
Town councillors previously claimed that they and parents had not been properly consulted on the far-reaching proposals.
And, after the meeting, shadow education spokesman David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria) said he was “astonished” that the ruling Conservatives had only offered to consult parents and Hungerford Town Council “after they took major decisions on the future direction and investment”.
He added: “We think they have acted very badly in making the decision before asking key people affected whether they supported it”.
Nevertheless, he and colleagues supported the proposals themselves.
Mr Allen told the meeting: “We are generally supportive of these plans.
“I just wanted to ask if more members had realised that there was going to be talks about it being an all-age school? Hungerford Town Council are furious because they were not consulted.”
Gordon Lundie (Con, Lambourn Valley) said: “There is a little bit of local politics being brought into things here. Hungerford Town
Council will have the opportunity to be consulted.
“They have got ahead of themselves a bit. Just because they are upset does not mean they are right.
“There has been a lack of understanding about the process and what it involves.”
Irene Neil said: “The Mayor of Hungerford was informed on the day of (the late Hungerford district councillor) David Holtby’s funeral, so he was sort of in the loop about the plans.”
Graham Jones (Con, Lambourn Valley) said: “I am really supportive of these plans and I’m confident there will be a huge amount of positivity during consultation.”
James Podger (Con, Hungerford) told the NWN: “The school is making massive strides forward under the leadership of Sarah Brinkley with
the fullest support from her governing body and teachers - they are not only supportive of the proposals but actively lobbied for them.
“This is a good news story for Hungerford and cannot possibly be seen any other way.”
WHAT do you think of the plans and of the consultation process? Have your say – contact reporter John Garvey at john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk, or telephone (01635) 564 528.



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