Celebration and sadness as schools face up to the harsh realities of providing education as pupil numbers are dwindling...

THERE was celebration and sadness yesterday as major decisions were made for education in the future.

In Romsey, two schools destined for the axe were rolled into one to create a brand new primary school.

Jubilant campaigners celebrated as six months of hard work building a case against closure paid off.

But just a few miles down the road, a community was in shock as news spread that their 108-year-old primary school was to be axed.

Mums picking up their children from tiny Ampfield Primary School at the end of the day yesterday were in tears as they heard the damning verdict.

As reported in later editions of the Daily Echo yesterday, Hampshire County Council education boss, Don Allen, ruled that Ampfield was to be axed.

His decision came just two days after the education committee voted eight to five to save the rural school, saying it was an essential part of the community.

But Cllr Allen pointed the finger at plummeting pupil numbers, huge extra costs, and the fact that only seven pupils lived within the school's catchment area.

The school, which only has 23 pupils, was costing the county's taxpayers £216,000 a year to keep open.

That is £9,800 per pupil per year - four times the average annual amount spent on youngsters at nearby schools.

The closure could come into effect as soon as August 2006.

But bosses at Ampfield have already vowed to fight on to save their school.

Chairman of governors Tony Knight said: "It's far from over yet. Notices will be published about the closure and I think we will object."

If objections are lodged, the decision then must be looked at by the Schools' Organisation Committee, due to meet in January 2005.

Every member of that committee must agree for a decision to be finalised.

Crucially, it includes a member of the Winchester Diocese.

If they vote against closing the tiny Church of England school, it must go to an independent inspector, one appointed by the Department for Education, who will look at the issue from scratch.

The process gives a glimmer of hope to campaigners.

Parent governor, Charlie Allen, whose children are the fourth generation of her family to attend the school, said: "Expect to see me again."

Romsey children were celebrating as they heard that they would still be able to go to school near their homes.

Both Romsey Infant School, off Winchester Road, and Romsey Junior, in Mercer Way, were destined for the axe.

Children were to be sent to nearby schools Halterworth and Cupernham.

But parents geared up for battle and began campaigning for an alternative, TOPS - Together One Primary School.

Led by Southampton University lecturer Dr Malcolm Hudson, they door- knocked every prospective parent in the area asking them about the proposals.

They drummed up support through petitions and meetings, and carried out traffic surveys.

The scheme, to create a primary school on the site of Romsey Junior School, won the support of Hampshire schools officers as well as the education committee.

Finally, it found favour with decision-maker Cllr Allen.

Dr Hudson said: "This is what we have been campaigning for over the last six months.

"When we started out people said the schools were sure to close, but this shows that the county council are prepared to listen."

At Romsey Infant School yesterday, there was sadness that the building would have to close its doors for good - but happiness that town centre parents could still educate children locally.

Head teacher Helen Rogers, who has been at the school for a decade, said: "We're a bit sad but pleased that the parents will still have a choice.

"Children will only be five once, or six once, and they won't be thinking about this closure, so we're trying to continue as normal."

Dave Simpson, head at Romsey Junior School, added: "This will be an exciting opportunity for a really great community school. We hope to build on the strengths of both schools as we work towards the switch."

The school review, which began in March this year, was triggered by falling pupil numbers across Romsey. Projected figures showed that one in four seats in Romsey classrooms would be standing empty by 2009.

THE MAN WHO MADE THE DECISIONS:

DON Allen is the man charged with crunch school decisions - and for many that makes him the bad guy.

The former chemistry teacher and county councillor for Kingsclere, is the portfolio holder for education.

The final decision on school closures rests with him alone.

In axing tiny primary Ampfield, Cllr Allen controversially overruled the recommendation made by the education policy review committee.

But while the system is not one he's comfortable with, he says the decision was the right one.

Cllr Allen explained: "There was no question about closing Ampfield. The case for closure was rock solid whichever way you looked at it.

"Whatever I decide, there will be significant numbers of parents who will feel that the decision is the wrong one.

"The problem is that they see it on a local basis, whereas I have to look at the county as a whole."

He added: "There are advantages in having the education review committee. It provides the best opportunity for deputations from various interested parties.

"It also provides me with an opportunity to hear the arguments which elected members believe are the main focus.

"The fact that I don't always follow their advice is because I feel I have to take a strategic view. They know it's not their decision, so it's much easier to vote for what the public want.

"If it's undemocratic then that's a function of the system we now have to operate. It's not one I would try to justify in any way.

"I would be much happier with the old committee system which certainly worked well in Hampshire."