RESIDENTS vented their frustration as plans for a school’s future came under discussion.

Highworth’s Northview Primary School is set to close at the end of August despite parents’ long battle to save it – but the building could have a new lease of life as a community hub.

At a meeting in the school hall last night, over 100 residents discussed with officers from Swindon council and Highworth town and borough councillors what could be done for the site long term.

But those chairing the meeting frequently had to bring the meeting back to topic as angry attendees questioned why the school was closing at all.

Swindon council cabinet members decided to close the school in February on the grounds of excess pupil Places in Highworth and the school’s falling admissions numbers. This meeting was arranged by Swindon Council’s Connecting People, Connecting Places initiative.

Suggestions put forward included a sixth form, an overflow for Warneford School, a community area for clubs and sports and an arts and crafts facility.

A teacher said she believed that for the site to work as overflow for Warneford it would have to take a whole year group and its size would not make this possible.

One resident said that to create a sixth form in Highworth would mean entering a very competitive market to get students to attend.

Highworth Community Partnership’s proposal for it to run the site as a community hub was met with general approval.

Maureen Penny, chair of the Highworth Community Partnership, said such an arrangement would allow the building to revert back to a school if there was ever that need in future.

Concerns were raised about what the budget would be for setting it up, how long it would take to get the facility in place and what guarantees were there that it would be successful.

Andy Reeves, community facilities manager for Swindon council, said: “It’s a risk, of course it’s a risk.

“It’s something we need to analyse very carefully because nobody wants to see a white elephant here.”

Ged Cassell, the council’s head of learning and engagement community services, said: “We have got a great chance to do it, but we need you to get involved and do it with our support.”

Some residents did point out that changes to the facility, particularly if it were to operate in the evenings, would lead to difficulties with additional traffic and parking.

Residents questioned why the future of the site had not been considered before the closure decision was made.

Many remained sceptical about the idea, repeating continuously at the meeting, that it was for the community to decide and said they believed the council had their own plans for the site.

One resident expressed concern that residents would be back here in a year’s time to discuss the school site being used for housing.

Jason Kelham, 34, of Knowlands, whose daughter attends the school, added: “If a company came in with a blank cheque would you think about your profits over the community?”

Rob Richards, head of property for the council, said: “All I can reassure you is that the administration have said we want to make this asset available to the community.”

The council will take feedback from the meeting to into consideration in making its decision which will be announced on the Highworth Community Partnership website – www.highworthpartnership.org.uk.