Demand for more scrutiny before school near Worthing closes for good

Group leader Michael Jones submitted a call-in request to the county council, saying the decision to shut Rumboldswhyke Infants, in Chichester, had been made – pre-determined – before any consultation took place.

This is an accusation the council has repeatedly denied, despite Freedom of Information evidence that an email was sent from the council’s education department in April 2019, which said: “The leader of the council and lead member are in agreement to pursue closure quickly, target date August 2020.”

With the Friends of Rumboldswhyke already threatening legal action, Mr Jones asked for a review of the council’s legal position and for the closure plans for both Rumboldswhyke and Clapham & Patching schools to be reversed or delayed.

His call was supported by Karen Sudan (Northgate & West Green),  Chris Oxlade (Bewbush & Ifield West) and Brian Quinn (Broadfield).

Mr Jones said: “The resolutions relating to the closure of Clapham & Patching and Rumboldswhyke are flawed.”

He added: “Like many others, the children who currently attend these schools and their parents are currently under considerable stress due to the current pandemic which has and continues to have a negative impact on the provision of their education and their wellbeing. 

“The need for these children to move to a new school will undoubtedly increase the negative impact on their wellbeing and prolong the negative impact on their education. 

“These resolutions do not put children first.”

If accepted, such call-ins are usually dealt with at the next meeting of the full council.

One was lined up for May 22 but has been cancelled – a decision which left Mr Jones ‘unimpressed’. He has since called for a meeting to be held in early June.

A county council spokesman said his request was ‘being considered’.

They added: “The chairman of the council has agreed to cancel the meeting of full council scheduled for May, as there is no priority business to be considered and no executive decisions or formal scrutiny take place in that meeting.

“All group leaders meet regularly and are consulted on business planning.”

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