The decision was approved by Councillor Roz Chadd, the County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, at her Decision Day earlier today (Monday 26 October). It follows a recent non-statutory four-week public consultation which gathered initial views on the proposed closure, after a formal request by the school’s governing body.
Pupil numbers at the school have been declining in recent years, raising significant concerns about its long-term financial and educational viability. At the start of this month, a total of 241 children were on roll at the school, despite overall capacity for 725.
Councillor Chadd commented: “I wish to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our initial consultation. Your feedback is highly valued, and I have reviewed this in great detail.
“It has also been important for me to consider the many challenges facing the school in terms of low numbers and the impacts these have on its finances, staffing, and the educational opportunities it can therefore afford its pupils. Regrettably, having taken the whole picture into account, I believe it is now necessary to move to a statutory consultation.
“I must stress that no final decisions have been made. This is an ongoing process, and it is really important that we continue to hear from families, staff, and the local community throughout. I want to assure everyone that all views will be thoroughly considered ahead of any final decision and that should the school ultimately close, every step would be taken to support both the families and staff affected.”
The school’s declining pupil numbers reflect a trend of falling birth rates nationally, alongside a shift in parental choice in the local area. As school budgets are primarily based on the number of pupils on roll, this has had a direct impact on The Clere’s finances, its ability to provide a broad and effective curriculum and to recruit and retain staff.
In January 2025, an Ofsted report found that the school required significant improvement and later that year, it was advised by Government that it must convert to an academy. However, despite efforts by the Department for Education, no suitable academy trust has been willing to take the school on.
Following the decision to now proceed with a statutory consultation, a public notice will be published on the County Council's website from Friday 6 November until Friday 4 December, allowing parents, the local community and others with an interest in the school to give their views on the proposal. A final decision will then be taken at a further Decision Day meeting before the end of this year.
Should the school ultimately close, the County Council is proposing to give children at The Clere the option to transfer to The Hurst School in Tadley. In this situation, the local authority would work closely with parents and both schools to ensure a smooth transition for pupils, and affected staff would be supported in line with the relevant policies and procedures.
Visit the County Council’s website for full details of proposal.
Pupil numbers at the school have been declining in recent years, raising significant concerns about its long-term financial and educational viability. At the start of this month, a total of 241 children were on roll at the school, despite overall capacity for 725.
Councillor Chadd commented: “I wish to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our initial consultation. Your feedback is highly valued, and I have reviewed this in great detail.
“It has also been important for me to consider the many challenges facing the school in terms of low numbers and the impacts these have on its finances, staffing, and the educational opportunities it can therefore afford its pupils. Regrettably, having taken the whole picture into account, I believe it is now necessary to move to a statutory consultation.
“I must stress that no final decisions have been made. This is an ongoing process, and it is really important that we continue to hear from families, staff, and the local community throughout. I want to assure everyone that all views will be thoroughly considered ahead of any final decision and that should the school ultimately close, every step would be taken to support both the families and staff affected.”
The school’s declining pupil numbers reflect a trend of falling birth rates nationally, alongside a shift in parental choice in the local area. As school budgets are primarily based on the number of pupils on roll, this has had a direct impact on The Clere’s finances, its ability to provide a broad and effective curriculum and to recruit and retain staff.
In January 2025, an Ofsted report found that the school required significant improvement and later that year, it was advised by Government that it must convert to an academy. However, despite efforts by the Department for Education, no suitable academy trust has been willing to take the school on.
Following the decision to now proceed with a statutory consultation, a public notice will be published on the County Council's website from Friday 6 November until Friday 4 December, allowing parents, the local community and others with an interest in the school to give their views on the proposal. A final decision will then be taken at a further Decision Day meeting before the end of this year.
Should the school ultimately close, the County Council is proposing to give children at The Clere the option to transfer to The Hurst School in Tadley. In this situation, the local authority would work closely with parents and both schools to ensure a smooth transition for pupils, and affected staff would be supported in line with the relevant policies and procedures.
Visit the County Council’s website for full details of proposal.