FUMING parents are mobilising to fight Poole council’s plans to divert £8 million funding away from rebuilding their children’s school.

For two years parents and pupils of Hillbourne School have looked forward to the promised rebuild.

But last week the rug was pulled from under them when the council revealed plans to use all the cash to expand eight other schools in areas where there has been a baby boom.

Borough of Poole has insisted the Hillbourne rebuild is still a priority, but admitted there is no guarantee of more government cash, effectively shelving the project indefinitely.

Angry parents have already gathered hundreds of signatures and are planning a protest outside the civic centre on April 6, prior to the meeting when councillors will take the decision on the funding reallocation.

Sonya Allan, who has three children at Hillbourne, said parents were “absolutely gutted” by the news, and children had been in tears.

She said: “We’ve put up with a run-down school purely because we thought we were getting something new.

“We’ve sat back and sat back – but now we’ve had enough.

“This money was allocated to us.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Mike Brooke said he was “absolutely appalled”, adding: “They should have known about this for the last three years at least, and they are only now trying to do something about it.”

He called for temporary classrooms and alternative funding to be looked into.

“There are so many unknowns here,” he added.

“To go forward with permanent developments at these schools is a real risk, especially at the cost of another school.

“I know it’s statutory and they’ve got to fund these places, but they’re taking the easiest option and the most unfair.”

Creekmoor ward councillors John Rampton, Leslie Burden and Judy Butt have said they will continue to fight for funding for Hillbourne.

In a joint statement, they added: “We are absolutely determined that pupils at Hillbourne will not be left behind.”

More Poole News