EDUCATION chiefs have been warned they risk creating a “lost generation” of children if they close Gravesend’s Northcourt School.

The warning came from a community worker in the area, who has told county councillors he feared many pupils from Northcourt would be reluctant to go to other schools nearby and that many would not bother to take up places at secondary schools.

David Evans, who works with Kent Thameside as a community development worker and has close links with Northcourt, told a meeting of KCC’s Policy Scrutiny Committee: “It [Northcourt] is essential to the community. There would be more children hanging around the streets and not entered into school. And if they are not in primary school, they will not be entered for secondary school.”

He went on: “Northcourt is unique in terms of the travelling community. The children most at risk will not be able to cope elsewhere. The most vulnerable will suffer.”

County councillors on the committee had called in KCC’s decision to press ahead with closure. After a two and a half hour debate, the all-party committee was unable to agree whether to accept the move. As a result, education chiefs will not be formally asked to reconsider the matter and public consultation on the school’s closure will now go ahead.

However, councillors did agree that KCC should do all it could to help pupils transfer to other schools.

Committee chairman Cllr Mike Eddy (Labour) said: “We need to look at the bigger picture when we take such an important decision. A closer examination of all the issues and repercussions has highlighted a number of areas where KCC can improve when dealing with such sensitive issues.”

The next key date for the school, after a month-long consultation, will come on May 13, when the independent School’s Organisation Committee will discuss the closure.

If it fails to back closure unanimously, the matter will then be considered by the Government-appointed Schools Adjudicator.