Tomlinscote will start in September with a new Headmaster, a new Chair / vice Chair of Governors and a fresh spring in its step. Talking to Parents, Staff and Governors I sense an excited expectation that a fresh management team will build on past successes while learning the required lessons from recent events.
The past 3 months and the "consultation" process have been very stressful for all and have been characterised by a lack of information which has created the ideal conditions for "fear, uncertainty and doubt", conspiracy theory and rumour. A significant amount of factual information has come to light which can be used to shed light on the process by which the "merger" proposals came about. It is in the public interest to put this behind us.As Mr Ryles says..
"information will be provided in order for actions taken by individuals and institutions to be seen for what it is, and what it has always been i.e. transparent and honest".
In the spirit that Mr Ryles intended I have published the information so that the public can read through the process.
The plans for Tomlinscote to "take-over" Kings can be traced back at least as far as 2006 when Tony Ryles drew up the following document while in discussions with Surrey County Council.
In December 2009 Tony Ryles refers to this document in correspondence with SCC's consultancy company Babcock4s saying that "most of the points are still relevant today" he says he has given it "considerable thought" and is "more enthusiastic about the project".
The timeline places us firmly before Tony Ryles took over at Kings under a "soft federation" yet it is clear that the item under discussion is quite definitely a school "take-over" of Kings by Tomlinscote. This is March 2009 and any neutrality in Mr Ryles' position is difficult to find.
The letter Mr Ryles refers to is interesting in that it states that Surrey County Council had asked him to take a "acting role pending a probable commercial 'external provider' taking responsibility for Kings at a later, but unspecified, date". Mr Ryles seems to be making his involvement conditional on the promise of his preferred solution "take-over".
An "exceptional and confidential" governors meeting is called to discuss "potential reorganisation within Surrey Heath". As is abundantly clear from lots of mails only the Chair and Vice Chair are aware of the plans. Please note the date is still March 2010.
Further correspondance makes it clear that only two Governors know what is really going on.
Some evidence of more Governors being brought into the picture but other signs of exclusion, "there is a strict limit to how much paperwork I would want circulated in advance of the session".
The outcome of the meeting. A soft federation is two separate financial entities, a hard federation model that would have enabled greater financial freedoms between the two sites was not passed.
Interesting document discussing financial arrangements for education of the 6th form and a reference to maybe just merging the two schools - essentially even further than a "hard federation".
Toward the end of 2010 Mr Ryles and PJ Wilkinson are still struggling with exactly how the "merger" or "hard federation" will look. There appears to be difficulty for both sides in having their preferred option sanctioned.
More difficulty in bringing those who might sign off on decisions "on board".
Funding for Kings seems to be contingent on sale of Kings land. So land must be sold to pay off money "advanced" to the school at some point in the future.
Still problems with trying to convince Andrew Povey (Leader of Surrey County Council) and the Governors.
February 2011 Mr Ryles announces his retirement although the actual reason is unclear.It is still clear that the vast majority of the Governing body are not informed as to what is going on.
At this point Mr Ryles cites security concerns and starts to use his personal email address.
An initial draft by PJ Wilkinson (before extensive edits by Tony Ryles) paints a very different picture than is presented in the final release.
As the initial letter to parents is drafted by Surrey County Council for their proposal Tony Ryles helps them extensively with the process but is at pains to point out it is "their" process.
Still re-writing the letter and some discussion of Kings employment.
The Pre-consultation meetings are planned.
Mr Ryles gives advice on the meetings and his involvement.
Mr Ryles helps Surrey County Council with the consultation document.
PJ confused about Mr Ryles email identities since Mr Ryles' wife H Jorgensen (his PA and also clerk of Governors) is using Mr Ryles' personal email address.PJ also says if it was up to him he would close Kings.
Well done if you made it this far, this represents a taster of the emails and the process that went on.
