After 120 years of continuous education Ampfield Primary School will soon close. 

The school's fate is almost certainly to become an expensive house in the Ampfield Conservation Area.

The closure decision was made by one county councillor whose expertise is not as an educationist but as a planning consultant. 

Despite many logical arguments to our MP, Caroline Nokes, she has failed to oppose the closure. The reasons are puzzling.Ampfield Parish Council is no better. They agreed to the school’s closure without even bothering to attend the public meeting at the school.

Our elected representatives are ignoring the facts. Local demand for pre-school and primary places substantially exceeds supply. 

Firstly, the nearby oversubscribed Bright Horizons Nursery in Ampfield closed last week. Second, a planning application is expected for a Jehovah's Witness school on the highly unsuitable Pound Lane in Ampfield. Third, and despite demand from parents, both the nearby Timsbury and Lockerley playgroups have recently closed. Fourth, this week the government has extended financial help to families with two year olds - further increasing demand. Finally, Caroline Nokes has just reported that "HCC could build a special needs school every year and still not meet the need."

Joined up thinking. Never heard of it. 

Let’s hope an educational academy can step in.

Ian Case,
Winchester Road,
Ampfield 

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