A plea has been made for officials to save a Fareham school from closure and ditch plans to relocate it.

It comes despite overwhelming opposition to the proposal, which was one of three options considered for the future Henry Cort Community College, as well as meet the needs of the expanding population of Whiteley.

Hampshire County Council has previously approved moving the school from Hillson Drive to a new 900-pupil site.

But this decision is being re-examined as only 22 per cent of the first consultation’s 1,142 responses were in support of the move.

A motion from Fareham Borough Council also petitioned to keep Henry Cort open alongside the new school in Whiteley.

Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Simon Martin said: “We hope that the county council will change their mind on Henry Cort and keep it as an educational establishment going forward.”

The results of a second public consultation on Henry Cort’s future will be used to make the final decision by Cllr Roz Chadd today, April 22, during a children and young people select committee meeting. 

The second consultation between January 10 to February 14, 2025, included two public drop-ins, had a total of 140 responses with 104 objecting to moving Henry Cort, said council papers.

READ MORE: Council recommends relocating school - and decision could come sooner than planned

Cllr Martin, who represents Park Gate, said: “We welcome the announcement of a new school for North Whiteley but are fighting for Henry Cort School to remain open. 

“We want to avoid pupils being biased into the new school at Whiteley so if there was a closure we would want local pupils to attend the local schools in Fareham. 

“We hope that the county council will change their mind on Henry Cort and keep it as an educational establishment going forward.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Joanne Burton said the existing school serves the most deprived area in the Fareham borough.

Closing it will disproportionately affect those who are most disadvantaged.

The Sarisbury and Whiteley councillor also fears there will be a drop in school attendance due to the transport/travel arrangements.

Hampshire County Council said the meeting originally scheduled for June was brought forward to give the Henry Cort community earlier clarity about the future of the school.

Development has seen 2,000 homes already built and with a further 3,500 planned north of the Whiteley settlement area.

The public meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 22 at Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester, and will start at 10am.