THE TIMING of a meeting about plans to link Bohunt and Petersfield academies means many won’t be able to go, says one working father.

He said: “Holding it on a Friday morning means a lot of parents won’t be able to go.

“This is being rushed through, and in time I can see two distinct destinations for local pupils.

“Those with academic ability will be ‘encouraged’ to Bohunt, and those more interested in the arts, will be tempted to Petersfield, regardless of where they live, or where they want to go.

“It’s empire building by Bohunt, pure and simple.”

His ire comes after parents were told a meeting had been called for this Friday to discuss The Petersfield School (TPS) joining Bohunt Educational Trust (BET).

The news comes a fortnight or so after TPS head teacher Nigel Poole said he was retiring at the end of this academic year. Head of Bohunt Neil Stowger is also chief executive of the trust.

It comprises of four schools; Bohunt, a teacher training school, and secondary schools in Portsmouth and Worthing – but bigger is better says Mr Stowger.

On the trust website he says: “BET is ambitious. Beyond running its own schools highly successfully, it aims to transform how education is delivered across the country by sharing best practice, which it has pioneered in its own schools.”

However TPS won’t lose its identity, or become a Bohunt subsidiary,

A message to parents endorsed by deputy chairman of governors Dr Ben Francombe says: “We won’t be changing our name, our uniform or our brand.

“Parents will still apply to TPS if they wish their children to attend the school.

“We remain our own school and our own ‘boss’ – we’ll just be part of a wider network, with greater expertise, shared resources and more capital funding

“Both have an equally successful, ethos.

“TPS Governors wish to retain this, which is respected by the BET, but we acknowledge that there is much to be learned from Bohunt’s examination success and its innovative approaches to school improvement.

“A major benefit will be the new sixth form at Bohunt. TPS students will be able to access this directly.

“It is also likely it will utilise some of our best teachers and that the TPS campus may play a part in the sixth form experience.”

A consultation on the proposal is being launched at a public meeting in TPS, on Friday, November 27, at 11.15am, attended by Neil Stowger, and Dr Francombe, who will answer questions.

Those wishing to comment on the proposal should also visit the web link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DZKM75R