Join Our Mailing List
To receive regular updates on the progress of our campaign, join our Google group. Simply enter your email address below:Lack of involvement in consultation
Although a council is free to run a consultation as it sees fit, we feel that the school staff, governors and parents have not been involved at an early enough stage given the nature of a decision which affects all the schools in Swanage.
The proposal states:
The process began in March 2008. Headteachers, school governors, local members and a range of other stakeholders have been discussing options up until October 2008. The outcome of those discussions and the consideration of many factors has led to the development of this consultation.
This makes it sound as if our school has been consulted over plans to close the school since March. In fact the Head and the Chair of Governors were only consulted on the move to a two-tier system and only found out the detailed plan in December. At that time the proposal was to move our children into an expanded St Mark's on the new site. Those 'other stakeholders' mentioned above include the regional Anglican and Catholic diocese, the bodies who manage all the other schools in Swanage, who were given the chance to have their say long before our Community school even saw the initial proposals.
Parents have not been consulted
Emily Wyer, Chair of our Parent's Association, has sent this letter to Dorset County Council's Complaints Manager.
In it she quotes The Department for Children, Schools and Families document ‘Duty to Respond to Parental Representations about the Provision of Schools , A Guide for Local Authorities’:
Talking with local parents should not wait until there are specific proposals for closing or opening a school in the area but be an ongoing integral part of the planning process.
If you feel that you have not been fully consulted before a specific proposal to close your child's school you can complain as well. Write to:
Julie Taylor
Complaints Manager
Children's Services
Dorset County Council
Colliton Park
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1XJ
or email her at j.taylor@dorsetcc.gov.uk
We will let you know what the response is to Emily's letter as soon as possible.