AN ‘INADEQUATE’ primary school could be closing its doors for good at the end of the academic year.

Hampshire County Council has agreed a consultation on the closure of Hatherden Church of England Primary School in Hatherden Lane, Andover.

It follows a four-week stakeholder consultation period in late 2021, during which options including being taken over by an academy trust or federating with another school were explored, but to no avail.

The school, which received an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted in 2019 and has been monitored ever since, has just two classes and only two teachers.

One of them, Dan Genn, is also doubling-up as the interim headteacher.

Hampshire County Council and the Diocese of Winchester is supporting the school by planning the curriculum, freeing up the teachers to focus on the day-to-day running of the school.

But at a decision day on March 23 executive lead member for children’s services, Cllr Roz Chadd, agreed that keeping the school open is not a financially viable option.

You can read the full story and reaction in this week's paper. Also in this week's edition:

  • Andover councillors have raised concerns about a lack of ‘future proofing’, as details are revealed for 30 new homes in Picket Piece.
  • An Andover landlord has commissioned a brand new artwork on the side of his building to show support to the Ukrainian people following Russia’s invasion of the country.
  • Transport provided by the county council for college students with additional needs will be made more expensive – and will not cater to their individual timetables.
  • An Andover town councillor has spoken out about the town council’s ‘illegal’ use of panels.
  • An ex-postmistress is still in shock days after a village shop was attempted to be robbed by two armed men.
  • Andover town councillors have made a decision on the most recent grant applications received by the authority - which sees two community organisations awarded funds, and one lose out.
  • Two men have been made to pay nearly £3,000 between them for fly-tipping waste at the same spot near Newbury Hill, Charlton, in separate incidents just two days apart.
  • A mother from Ludgershall says she feels ‘desperate’ after being left to live in a mould-infested home with her three young children for more than three years.
  • PLUS: Two pages of YOUR letters
  • PICTURES: Camer club members capture colourful Andover
  • An eight-page puzzle special
  • Entertainment news
  • Sports news
  • And much, much more
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