MORE than 300 parents of former Homefield pupils attended a meeting on Monday night to discuss a rescue package for the Christchurch school.

Having met their bankers and former teaching staff earlier in the day, the board of the Bournemouth-based Park School unveiled a package to buy Homefield following its sudden closure on Friday.

Murray Smyth, Park School's principal administrator, described the meetings with bankers and Homefield staff as "very positive".

"We were very pleased with the response from parents," he added. "Our proposal was that they would have to pay one-and-a-half terms' fees in advance, an average of £3,500, to set up a new school.

"That would run the school to the summer and also show their clear intention to support the school.

"Parents were extremely supportive and we gave them until Friday lunchtime to come up with the money.

"If they do, provided we come to a positive agreement with the administrators, the school could perhaps open shortly after the half-term break. By February 28 we will know whether it is a runner. I am hopeful that Park School will be able to take over.

"Timing is crucial and one of the first things we would have to do is cut study leave and continue to tutor. A number of former Homefield teachers have said they would be prepared to help with intensive teaching and coaching.

"Until we know how many parents are prepared to take up the challenge of a new school we cannot say how many teachers we will need."

First published: February 1