In a video inspired by the famous ‘cue card’ scene in Love Actually, pupils of Springfield Infant School explain why they want their school to stay ‘just as it is’. The video is just one part of a school community led campaign in opposition of a proposed school merge that forms part of a current West Sussex Country Council (WSCC) public consultation. Everyone in the local community (and beyond!) is encouraged to Save Springfield by objecting on question 9 of the public consultation survey (question 8 if you’re not a parent/carer) and signing the campaign petition (change.org/savespringfield). The survey can be found at yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/worthing-primary-provision-review. 

In an effort to address surplus school places across Worthing and Durrington, the consultation proposes two school merge options in East Worthing. Springfield believes that as a financially stable and consistently oversubscribed school, with NO surplus places, they should not be included in any merges and allowed to maintain autonomy over their leadership and governance. It would appear that many agree, with the campaign petition receiving over 500 signatures in less than 48 hours. The governing bodies for both Lyndhurst Infant and Chesswood Junior school have publicly expressed support for their two schools merging on a single site. 

To make sure that the school community voice is heard loud and clear, the campaign also includes a public sing-along in South Street square, Worthing (outside HSBC) on the 22nd December at 11.30am, with an open invitation to anyone that would like to share some festive spirit. As well as completing the survey, community members can help Save Springfield by signing the online petition (change.org/savespringfield) and writing letters to councillor Nigel Jupp, expressing their opinion on the consultation.

Sara Montgomery, Springfield parent and governor, describes why fighting to keep Springfield independent is so important; “Springfield is a special place that offers a nurturing, ‘small school’ environment for young children starting their formal education journey. We are keen to retain the ability to quickly and independently make decisions that are entirely in the best interests of the 4 to 7-year-old children that attend Springfield. We have a strong history of collaboration with Chesswood to support the transition between schools. We really can’t see the need for any of this to change and think that it is important to offer parents of pre-school age children a choice of school environments.”

The consultation is open until the 20th of January 2023. To have their say, people can complete the consultation survey at yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/worthing-primary-provision-review, and object in question 9 (question 8 if you’re not a Springfield parent/carer). For more information about the Save Springfield campaign, visit springfieldschool.co.uk/save-our-school-2