Around 200 seats were laid out for last night’s meeting about the proposed academy for Chatham, but in the end only a handful were taken up.

An open evening at Chatham South School, being held on the same night as the overview and scrutiny committee meeting at the Corn Exchange in Rochester, may have prevented a greater turn out of staff, parents and students.

Many have expressed concerns about Medway Council’s proposal to close the school along with Medway Community College to make way for an academy.

In the end speeches urging councillors to consider other options were given by Chatham South’s chairman of governors Keith Burgess, the chairman of the school’s curriculum committee Bob Odle and Gary Crittenden, a parent of two boys who attend Chatham South.

Mr Crittenden said: "A one size fits all, ‘jack of all trades master of none’ super school does not suit all children and is not a universal panacea for systematic failures over many years however you dress it up.

"In no other sector of business does it make sound business sense to close the parts of the business that are working and producing good results.

"Chatham South is like any other high school with a mix of pupils from all backgrounds, religions races and demographics.

"Where it is extraordinary is in its achievements, in its management its teaching and its relationship with all who have anything to do with the school. It works well so don’t fix it."

The head teacher of Medway Community College Andrea Ferris and five of her students also attended the meeting.

They spoke passionately about their excitement and support of an academy being created and the prospect of a new building being built on the current school site.

Mrs Ferris said: "Charles Dickens used Ebenezer Scrooge as an example that everyone deserves a second chance regardless of their past.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to rewrite our future for the young people of Chatham."

After listening to both arguments and discussing the issues the committee eventually agreed to recommend to the cabinet that the academy route be pursued.

It will be Medway's second academy. Chapter and Temple schools will be merged from September next year to form the Strood academy. It has already been announced that

Thomas Aveling head teacher Richard Hart will be the principal.