Six weeks ago Council education chiefs asked the governors of Downside Middle School (pictured) to consider merging with Kitbridge Middle School under Downside's superb Headteacher's leadership, due to Kitbridge being assessed by Ofsted as requiring special measures, but 'without the capacity to improve'.
After 4 weeks of careful consideration and absolute confidentiality we agreed unanimously to do this, subject to the careful management of how staff and parents at both schools were informed. It was agreed that the Council's intentions should be made available around 31 March (i.e. a week before the end of term), thus allowing our Head to take interim charge after the current 2 week school break.
After 4 weeks of careful consideration and absolute confidentiality we agreed unanimously to do this, subject to the careful management of how staff and parents at both schools were informed. It was agreed that the Council's intentions should be made available around 31 March (i.e. a week before the end of term), thus allowing our Head to take interim charge after the current 2 week school break.
By the 3 April this had not happened and our governors & Head decided that they did not want the Council's intentions released just as the schools were breaking up. Sadly education chiefs decided to ignore us, put the proposed decision into the public domain on the last day of term - at 3.30pm - and seemingly ran. Unsurprisingly yesterday BBC South had the story, which will have been the first time most staff and all parents at both schools will have known anything like this was being proposed. I shudder to guess at what they are thinking today.
When Downside governors (of which I am the longest serving) made their decision to support merger on 26 March I warned that I had no confidence in the Council getting the communications strategy on this right. Sadly I have been proven correct.
6 comments:
There have been a few comments on this at www.saveiowschools.co.uk in the 'Have your say' section.
To whon do we need to make a request that the council's education department are put on special measures. Perhaps then we could be merged with Hampshire. I seem to remember that someone said we had to change our system to avoid being taken over. Perhaps that should have been treated as a generous offer of help, rather than something we should resist.
I see iwight.com just focusses on a Mega Wheels car show and a picnic. Unbelievable.
The iwight.com website and the heavily censored forum couldn't be worse if run by the Chinese government.
No debate is allowed on any awkward subjects, you couldn't make it up, how on earth do they get away with it? Why do YOU let them get away with it Geoff?
I am one of few, supported by a sea of anonymity, against a shameless and determined regime !
Ahh, bless you Geoff. There are indeed too few of us! The iwight website forum is used by some real cowards. They don't mind shouting and bitching but apart from DDH and DON SMITH none have the courage to identify themselves.
My guess is the leadership manipulate it posting regularly.
Talking of a certain nation's government, when I saw the TV pictures of the olympic 'torch assistants', it did remind me of county hall.
P.S. to the above poster - the button you need to click on is the one just below 'OpenID' below.
Post a Comment