A petition has been started in a bid to stop two Chatham schools from being closed so a second academy can be created in Medway.

Objectors have until Sunday, June 29, 2008, to sign the petition which urges the Prime Minster Gordon Brown not to close Chatham South School and Medway Community College.

It was started by Natasha Hughes whose eldest daughter is due to start at Chatham South School this year.

Her statement attached to the petition, reads: “It is a disruption. All Year sevens should attend this school beginning in 2010 and thereafter. Our children’s school life should not be disrupted.”

On May 19, Medway Council announced plans to close the two schools in 2010 to form a multi-million pound academy on the MCC site in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham.

At the time of the announcement Vincent O’Mara, head of Chatham South School, said people must consider what’s best for the students.

The petition can be found at the following website