Both schools are fighting the proposed closures

Kent County Council cabinet members agreed on Monday to issue public closure notices for Northcourt Primary School, in Gravesend, and Halsted Place Special School, near Sevenoaks.

Both schools have had critical reports from government inspectors in recent months.

The public closure notices are one of the statutory steps that must be taken before an eventual shutdown.

Fighting hard

Parents and governors now have a month to object.

In each case they are fighting hard to keep their school afloat.

Kent County Council said in February that Halstead Place should close as part of its review of special needs provision because the nearby Furness school had a better location and facilities.

Halstead Place, which caters for about 40 boys aged 11 to 16 with emotional and behavioural difficulties, was put into special measures by Ofsted inspectors in December.

Back in special measures

Leadership and management were cited as two of the problem areas.

Northcourt Primary was up for closure four years ago after it was placed in special measures but a schools' adjudicator, appointed by the government, overturned that decision.

After an Ofsted inspection last October, the school was put into special measures for a second time - and the council, after consultation, has again decided it should shut.

An independent panel will give its view on the proposed closures in May.

The council, which proposed closing the schools from September 2003, hopes a final decision will be made before 31 August.