SCHOOL PLAN IS POLL-AXED

"We don't want Castlemount to be the home for Dover's first co-ed grammar" say parents

    A POLL of parents has come out against plans to use the closed Castlemount school site as a new home for Dover's first co-ed grammar.
    The poll comes as the county council, planning to spend £5.5 million on the Castlemount site for 1,090 boys and girls, prepares for public meetings on Monday and Tuesday when the controversial move will be thrashed out.
    The Parents and Friends Association of the boys' grammar school wrote to parents of the 500 students asking for their views on the switch to Castlemount.
    Said PFA chairman Paul Hough: "There were 275 replies from 500 questionnaires. Of those who replied, 95 percent were against a move to Castlemount, three percent were in favour and the rest had no opinion," But parents were not against a merger with the girls' grammar. According to the PFA questionnaire, 82 percent were in favour, 17 percent were opposed and the rest had no opinion.
    Monday's meeting is at the boys' grammar, and Tuesday's meeting at the girls' grammar, both at 6pm.
    County councillors will be at both to hear what the people of Dover really want.
    One proposal to be considered is the possibility of merging the two grammar schools at closed Nonington College. But the county council admits the ten miles travel there from Dover is a major drawback.
    Advantages of Castlemount, says the county council, are that it is available immediately, it is central and it provides "excellent purpose-built" accommodation.
    Disadvantages include shortage of playing fields. Although, they say, they would provide a multi-purpose all weather playing surface at the school.
    Another issue debated at the meetings will be advantages of the two grammar schools seeking grant maintained status. Governors of the boys' school have already taken the first step.
    Questions likely to be asked at the meetings, by James and Emma Roberts of Palm Tree Close, Eythorne, are: why not move Astor to Castlemount or expand the Upper Astor site to include their Lower school students?
    A report is to be made to the Kent Education committee on March 26 which could decide on a number of options - including doing nothing.

THIS county council drawing - used exclusively by the Dover Express - shows how the amalgamated boys and girls grammar school site at Castlemount could look.