Should the school – academy or otherwise – stay in Midhurst or should it move to Easebourne?

Robert Back, West Sussex County Council's director of education, faced with questions on the school site, assured a public meeting last week no decision had yet been made: "You either believe I am speaking with integrity or not. I tell you I am."

He said there were strengths and weaknesses on both sites and the county council would not want to rush a decision.

There would have to be site surveys and many practical issues would have to be addressed such as transport, access and flooding: "And there are very clear issues about community wishes."

But some parents were concerned about views expressed by senior politicians at West Sussex County Council.

Peter O'Connell asked: "Why, if no decision has been taken, are cabinet members talking about bypasses on the Midhurst school site and leasing historic school buildings in North Street?"

Tonight (Thursday, May 8) Midhurst launches its battle to keep the school on its historic site in Midhurst.

The town council has organised a public meeting in the grammar school's memorial hall, off North Street at 7pm.

Chairman of the town council Colin Hughes said: "We cannot wait while these decisions are taken behind closed doors and be presented with a planning application which in effect will be a fait accompli."

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