EDUCATION chiefs have drawn-up plans to consult on the future of a village primary school near Hitchin – despite opposition from the governing body.

There are currently 41 pupils on roll at Hexton Junior, Middle and Infant School, in Hexton.

And those pupils are split between just two classes – with multiple year groups being taught side-by-side.

Education chiefs say low pupil numbers at the school – which could take up to 70 pupils – makes it difficult for teachers to plan the curriculum.

Pointing to forecasts of future low demand and fears about its future financial viability, they have drawn-up closure proposals.

On Friday (July 17) the proposals were outlined to members of the county council's education, libraries and lifelong learning cabinet panel.

They were asked to consider whether – or not – the proposal should go out to public consultation.

At the meeting operations director Simon Newland pointed to the mixed age classes – containing up to four different year groups.

He said: "Clearly it's difficult for a teacher and a class to span the spectrum of different needs and abilities if you are talking about some who are only just four and some who are seven or eight. That's very difficult.

"Our view is that it is quite manageable to teach classes with two year groups in – and that is commonplace across many schools in Hertfordshire.

"But when you get to three or four year groups it becomes very difficult to maintain the appropriateness of the teaching for each particular child."

Meanwhile data presented to councillors suggested just seven pupils at the school live in Hexton village.

Fewer than half of those attending Hexton JMI – which is close to the Bedfordshire border – actually live in Hertfordshire.

Local Conservative councillor David Barnard had made it known to the panel that he would like the consultation deferred by 12 months.

But at the meeting the cabinet panel backed plans to proceed with the public consultation later this year – although the consultation will need the approval of cabinet before it goes ahead.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Laurence Brass had suggested that the consultation would be a 'death sentence' for the school.

He had asked if it would be fair to delay the consultation to see how many pupils the school could 'entice' to join them.

But Mr Newland – who acknowledged the consultation may make some parents reconsider – said he did not agree it was like a 'death sentence'.

He stressed that the move towards consultation was not a step they would take lightly.

Meanwhile Liberal Democrat Cllr Mark Watkin – who formally requested the consultation be delayed – pointed to the 'passion' that had come through from the governing body.

"My view is that the governors do not feel that they have had proper communication," he said.

"I am very mindful of the harm I think this could do to that community."

But in making the case for the consultation, executive member for education, libraries and lifelong learning Cllr Terry Douris stressed that the panel was considering consultation and not closure.

And he stressed that the school would have opportunities to make their case.

"There has been engagement with the school and with the governors," he said.

"They are not supportive of the proposal, but the proposal in front of us today is simply to consult. It is not to make a decision on anything other than to consult."

Cllr Douris pointed to the council's petition scheme which – subject to the number of signatures collected – would give them the right to address cabinet panel or full council.

And he said the start of the consultation would offer a degree of certainty, rather than having the 'sword of Damacles' or a 'dark cloud' hanging over it.

". . . I fear if there was a delay in the consultation then during that time there would be a worrying thought that the school might close, and I don't think that would be helpful to the school," said Cllr Douris.

"If the consultation goes ahead, as is proposed in the cabinet report, then there is a level of certainty – and the school can make their position very clear."

And he concluded: "I am not going to make any predictions on what the outcome of the consultation might be – because that is the very essence of consultation."

If the plans to consult are backed by a meeting of the county council's cabinet in September, the consultation will take place in the autumn, between September 30 and November 3.

Following the public consultation, councillors would make a final decision in January (2022) – with the possible closure taking effect from the August (2022).