CONSULTATION meetings are to be held to discuss the future of education in the east of High Wycombe after Hatters Lane School closes next August.

Wycombe Commission is to discuss proposals including opening a new school on the same site, but with improved accommodation.

Commission chairman Cllr Margaret Dewar (Con, Beaconsfield) said: 'It is very, very important that people understand that no decisions have yet been made.

'The whole purpose of holding these consultation meetings was to hear the views of local people.'

It is hoped the funding for the proposed new school would be available through the Government's Fresh Start initiative with a possible grant of up to £3 million. A Private Finance Initiative bid is also being explored but it the process would be very complicated.

Olsen Davis, the headteacher of King's Wood Junior School, said: 'This is a great opportunity for parents to have a say about the future education for children in the east Wycombe area. I am confident the Local Education Authority will take the views of local people into consideration when making the final decision.'

Reorganisation of primary education will be essential due to falls in pupil numbers in the next few years. Each surplus place could cost the LEA £400 in a primary school and £600 in a secondary.

By 2005 it is expected there will be a 500 surplus primary places and 300 at the Hatters Lane site - costing a total of £380,000 a year.

Cllr Dewar stressed that they had received many useful suggestions but there was still time.

She added: 'The Commission is open for comments and suggestions right up until October 12. This is a very important issue and the future education of our children in the east of Wycombe is in our hands.'

Anyone wanting to comment should write to Mike Harrison, Southern Area Education Office, Easton Street, High Wycombe, HP11 1NH.