Set-back in fight to stop relocation of Henry Cort Community College as key motion is rejected

A fight to stop Henry Cort Community College being moved from its home of more than 50 years suffered a setback this week, as councillors rejected a bid to halt the relocation.

A motion from Cllr Gemma Furnivall, seconded by Cllr David Hamilton, urged a rethink of the decision to relocate the Fareham secondary school – but it was rejected by the council.

Hampshire County Council approved plans in April last year to move Henry Cort from its Hillson Drive site to a newly-built school in North Whiteley from September 2027. But the motion states that when the process began in October 2024, the local government shake-up that is set to abolish the county’s councils had not yet been agreed.

Speaking at the full council meeting on July 22, Cllr Furnivall, Labour for Fort Fareham, said she believed this is the council’s “last chance” to prevent the closure.

She said: “I can’t promise this motion will save Henry Cort. Whatever happens tonight, I want to go back to the families, look them in the eyes, and say I tried everything and never gave up.

“Closing Henry Cort was the wrong decision to make. We said this unanimously in this chamber in 2024.

“Let it not be us that haven’t tried everything. Remember why we stood together in 2024.

“I promised I would try everything and tonight I am keeping that promise.”

Fareham is due to become part of a new South East Hampshire Council from May 2028, which the motion says should have the chance to weigh in on education provision before Henry Cort’s fate is sealed.

It also pointed to a “significant political change” at the county council, after the Conservatives lost their majority in May’s elections, leaving no party in overall control.

Following Cllr Furnivall’s motion, Cllr Fred Birkett, Conservative for Fareham Park, said he has campaigned against the closure, but said the motion poses a risk of providing “false hope”.

He said it comes across as “political opportunism” and said giving families hope is “not fair” as they need “certainty”, adding that he will not support the motion.

Meanwhile, Cllr Pal Hayre, Conservative for Stubbington, argued that what families need is “clarity and certainty”.

She said: “I question why this matter is being brought before this council almost two years later.

“There have been numerous opportunities for representations to be made to the decision makers.”

Cllr Hamilton, leader of Fareham Liberal Democrats, disputed that the motion is providing false hope.

He said: “We all agreed it’s the wrong decision, and we should have the strength to put things right. It’s over a year until the school closes.

“This is continuing to challenge it, and I am proud to do so.

“It’s about standing up for the Fareham Park residents.”

Councillors voted against the motion, and it was lost.