A consultation into whether to merge two primary schools is under way.

A proposal to combine Stoke Primary Academy and Allhallows Primary Academy on the Hoo Peninsula was put forward in 2019 by the Leigh Academies Trust, which runs both.

It was met with fierce opposition from Stoke villagers, who staged protest walks and adorned the village with banners.

The merger - which also drew opposition from MP Kelly Tolhurst - would have seen Stoke close at the end of that year's summer term and the two schools operating from one site in Avery Way.

However, Lord Agnew, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the School System, rejected the plans.

The plans, announced yesterday (Thursday), are back on the table following low application numbers at Stoke and changes in the school's class structures during the pandemic.

Stoke pupils in Years 2, 5 and 6 have been being taught at Allhallows in single-age classes.

While there are currently 33 children at Stoke, the Trust says only six families have selected Stoke as their first choice for their four-year-olds for the new academic year in September and, as such, there are likely to be less than 30 children on roll across the school.

Allhallows currently has 170 children on its roll.

The Trust has begun a four-week consultation involving virtual meetings with parents, carers, and stakeholders for the options which will come into force in September this year.

The Trust's spokesman Richard Taylor said: "Stoke and Allhallows Primary academies have been members of Leigh Academies Trust for over two years and during this time we have worked hard to improve the quality of education for all pupils at both schools.

"We recognise with the pandemic this has been a challenging year for everyone.

"We believe more firmly than ever that to support our children in their academic and social development after the period of disruption they have experienced, providing them with consistency and the very highest quality of education has never been more important.

"We believe that providing education on one site will bring significant benefits to children across both Stoke Primary Academy and Allhallows Primary Academy.

"In contrast, operating across both sites, with very small numbers at Stoke Primary Academy, will compromise pupils’ future prospects as they will likely all be taught across just two classes at SPA, which could include children in up to three different year groups."

Cllr Mick Pendergast (Ind), who lives in Lower Stoke where the school is, was heavily involved in the campaign not to close the school two years ago, and confirmed his intention to oppose the plans once again.

He said: "I am not as hopeful as I was last time because they have already taken all the computers out of the school and the parents don't want all the upheaval with their kids, so they are going along with the idea.

"I just can't believe they are trying it again at this time when we can't have meetings and committees.

"It will take the heart out of the rural village if they take the school."

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