Chineham park Primary in Basingstoke is to be closed at the end of August, Hampshire County Council has announced.

Ofsted judged the school to be “inadequate” and in need of special measures in January 2009. Consultation on proposals to close it began in October 2009.

A third monitoring inspection in March found that pupils were making faster progress in lessons. Teachers were making better use of assessment information, the curriculum had been made more exciting and relevant - with pupils enjoying hands-on activities - and since January the leadership, including an new interim head, had “galvanised” staff.

But while advancements had accelerated since the previous visit in December, overall progress since it had been placed in special measures was inadequate.

There has been concern from parents about the closure plans - and what will happen to the land.

Councillor Ken Thornber, of Hampshire County Council, said: “The decision to close a school is not one we take lightly. Neither is it an easy decision to make. It is understandable that pupils, staff, parents and the wider community will have strong feelings about their local school.”

But he added that had the council not decided to close the school, it was likely that the Government would have done so. The council had already received a letter stating there was “significant ministerial concern about the school”.

The children will be sent to a neighbouring school and assurances given that the site will continue to be used for educational purposes. HW.