Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern has called on Hertfordshire County Council to protect land for a potential new special educational needs school in the town if plans to merge two primary schools go ahead.

Mr Strathern and Hitchin North Labour county councillor Ian Albert have written to the council seeking assurances over proposals to merge Purwell Primary School and Mary Exton Primary School.

The proposed merger comes amid declining pupil numbers, but the two politicians have urged the council to ensure any decision takes account of future housing developments and the long-term educational needs of Hitchin.

In a letter to the council's chief executive, they called for any school site released as a result of the merger to be retained for educational use, potentially providing a new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

They also called for a thorough review of pupil place planning data to ensure forecasts accurately reflect future housing growth and changing demographics in the town.

Mr Strathern said: "Purwell and Mary Exton have played an important role in our community for generations. While I recognise the challenges posed by declining pupil numbers, any decision about their future must be focused on securing the best outcomes for children across our town.

"With Hitchin having seen recent growth, it is vital that pupil forecasts properly account for housing developments and changing demographics. We cannot afford to make decisions today that fail to reflect our needs tomorrow.

"With real pressures on special educational needs provision locally, if the merger does go ahead, we are calling on Hertfordshire to ensure the released site is used to provide specialist educational provision for the town.

"It's only right that any decision does right by the current and future needs of our community, and providing a new SEND school for the town would be a clear way to deliver on that."

The MP added that he looked forward to working with the council, school leaders and local families to secure the best possible outcome.

Councillor Albert said he had heard directly from parents, staff and residents concerned about the future of the two schools, which he described as having strong links to their local communities.

"I've heard directly from parents, staff and residents who care deeply about the future of both Purwell and Mary Exton. They're much-loved schools with strong links to their local communities," he said.

"I now encourage parents and residents to take part in the consultation that lasts until mid-December.

"Demand for specialist SEND places continues to grow, and too many families still face challenges accessing the support their children need close to home.

"Protecting a school site for educational use, including the possibility of a new SEND school, would help ensure that this decision leaves a positive legacy."

The intervention comes as Hertfordshire County Council faces growing demand for specialist SEND provision across the county.

Both politicians have also called for the merger process to be conducted transparently and without unnecessary delays, giving parents, pupils and staff greater certainty about the future.

The consultation on the proposed merger remains open until mid-December, with parents and local residents encouraged to have their say.