Teacher Meetings.

There are a few concerns being expressed about teacher meetings.  As I have just come out of my governors meeting (which was very good I may add) I think I'm in a position to set peoples minds to rest.

A question was asked one of the gentlemen in our meeting about the format of the teacher meetings. 

We received an assurance that all teachers would be given the opportunity of speaking with the governors in small groups (like the opportunity afforded to parents).

We were assured that these meetings would ONLY contain GOVERNORS and would NOT include Staff governors or members of the senior leadership team.  It was stated that the only exception to this was that Mr D French had been asked to take notes for one of the meetings. There was a clear statement that the meetings would be made as comfortable for the teachers as possible so that they could speak openly and honestly.  

I felt significantly better after talking to governors personally, and genuinely listened to.  While I have many concerns and worries about the process, questions were answered openly and with a refreshing candour. 

I can well understand staff anxiety on this matter but I implore you to make your opinions known and to ask the governing body the questions you want answered.

I told the governors to take with significant weight the opinions of those who actually did the job on a day to day basis - these are the people after all who we entrust the educational outcomes of our children on a day to day basis.  I stated the opinion that when it came to educational outcomes the staff should be entrusted above even the consultants as the further you are form the realities of a job the less easy it is to judge.

If it proves that I am wrong or misinformed please let me know and I'll find out why.

Update: The new head Mr Ian Hylan is indeed penciled in against some of the governors meetings so I apologise as I obviously misunderstood.  Some staff have communicated to me that they feel uncomfortable with this arrangement and I have received an assurance that any member of staff that would prefer to be in another meeting can be moved.  This can be accomplished by contacting Mr D French.


From the governors meeting that I attended which Mr Hylan was good enough to pop into I am aware that Mr Hylan is somewhat disappointed that his attempts to engage are being met with mistrust and cynicism.  I am sympathetic to him in the task he faces but it is not one that should surprise him.  The confidence in authority generally that is felt by staff and parents is at a rather low ebb, Mr Hylan will have to accept that he has significant work to do to repair the damage that has already been done.  It is not really tenable to imagine that 1500-2000 parents and a significant percentage of the staff developed a deep mistrust in "the system" overnight without any provocation.  If the merger does not go ahead it will still take some time and skill on his part to repair the damage, if the merger proceeds I fear he will be faced with a task that maybe beyond even his talents.


I will say that My reading of the school site that Mr Hylan is currently Head Master suggests that he has a very inclusive management style and has a thriving PTA. 


http://www.coxgreen.com/index.php/governors 
(note governors meeting minutes on-line)

http://tna.europarchive.org/20060214062142/http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachers/issue35/secondary/features/Makingitwork/
And it took me a lot of effort to dig out this gem on Mr Hylan.  If we are going to work this way I look forward to his future stewardship of Tomlinscote as an "unmerged" school.

SurreyCC response form as written by CAM.

CAM has produced a response form highlighting the issues that CAM would place on the form.  Each person will want to place their own issues on their own form but this is provided should people need some guidance or some help with how to phrase things.  Ideally you would write your own document from scratch but should you wish to use this as a starting point deleting ideas that are not important to you or you disagree with and adding new items you are free to do so.

The document is in Micro$oft Word format or can be downloaded in other formats if required.

Open in Google Docs.....
Download here....
or try here Download

Before you answer the questions below CAM would ask you to consider:
How are County going to analyse your responses in relation to ticking yes, no and don’t know?
Only tick a box if you agree.
If you don’t, fill in the information box and state that you are unable to tick a box due to either incomplete data or insufficient information being available to make a considered decision.

Do not forget to return it by June 17th. If posting it needs to be posted by June 15th

SURREY HEATH, SECONDARY CONSULTATION ROOM 171 COUNTY HALL, KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES, SURREY KT12DN

or you can send it electronically to:

schoolorg@surreycc.gov.uk

DO NOT forget to put on the form at the bottom your POSTCODE. If you don’t put your postcode the form will be discounted.

HAVE YOU PUT YOUR POSTCODE ON?

Publicity leaflets

The following leaflets are available - click on the picture to view or print more.

Kings Academy - A vision for the future.

This document gives some background on Kings possible conversion to an academy and is a first pass at  answering peoples questions.  Discussions are at an early stage and there is no certainty that Kings would become an Academy or that any particular provider would be chosen.  It is however worthwhile to point out to all interested parties that this is not idle speculation it is a very real possibility and very credible alternative.  Thanks to Barbara for putting this together.

The case for Closing Kings

This is the first of a number of documents that analyses SurreyCC proposal.  In this document we start to analyse the case Surrey makes for why Kings needs to be closed.

The document is critical of SurreyCC but it should be pointed out that these criticisms come only after having given SurreyCC repeated opportunities to justify, substantiate and explain their position.  This has not been done to our satisfaction.

Tomlinscote Ofsted - a real threat to the Merger.

Tomlinscote Schools Ofsted inspection results are out and they make impressive reading as it is a truly excellent comment on the school.  It does however have serious implications for the proposed merger as this is the benchmark that the Governing body and new Headmaster will be judged against.  The education of 1569 children is currently judged as outstanding and if the merger was to go ahead it is unlikely that with the massive upheaval that this stands any chance of being maintained.  The 1000+ families who have signed up to support CAM wish to see the current status quo maintained or improved upon.  It is unlikely that they will be sympathetic if the governing body agree (against their wishes) to a course of action that sees a decline from this benchmark.  Further pressure is placed upon the governing body since local politicians are also firmly against this merger on educational grounds.  It is also difficult to see how Michael Gove can feel this is a good idea.  The merger is a massive gamble (or experiment as PJ puts it) with no guarantee of success, one that (as SurreyCC admits) may need to be reversed in 5-6 years time.  The status quo is an outstanding school and an improving school in a successful soft federation ... any change from this stable and successful state is a big risk.

You don't need to be a genius to know what makes sense here.

One is an each way bet on the favourite, the other is a rumour from a dodgy man in a bar that the last horse in the race with no prior form (a split site school) "might" come good.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/139034/(as)/125261_359870.pdf

SurreyCC Consultation Document (mark - Ungraded)

At university we had a lecturer who was absolutely excellent, but when you received an essay back it was with a real sense of foreboding!  He would often write more in the margin of your essay in the dreaded red pen than you had written yourself!  Only years later did I realise the effort and dedication this took, but the quality of the critical review was fantastic and really helped us to improve.
We have gone through the consultation document and annotated it with comments, it looks disturbingly similar to those "red penned" essays I used to receive!  Its a long document and not one that I can make it through in a single sitting.  However, as you read the sheer volume of mistakes that county has made the fact that the document is "not fit for purpose" becomes obvious.
It is difficult to imagine how the governors could even begin to vote on the information presented here.  Equally well it is a challenge to respond to a document that is so biased and contains little or no facts.

It is not imagined that everyone is going to go through this document with a fine tooth comb but I would be disappointed if the major decision makers (the Governors and County) don't digest it.  If nothing else, like the experience I had at university with my essays, next time there is a "consultation" to be written perhaps county can "up their game".

You can find the document here or by clicking the picture above.

Visible support

The CAM team continue to work hard to prove to the Tomlinscote Governors by various means that the SCC consultation paper proposing the expansion/merger of Tomlinscote with Kings International is flawed and will have a huge negative impact on our children’s education.

Part of the CAM mission is to show the Governor’s how overwhelming the public opinion is AGAINST this proposal and to place ‘NO MERGER’ posters in as many places as possible. The best place is in your gardens or on fences visibly showing your feelings to the Governors as this is your private property and SCC can’t demand they are removed.

CAM members will supply and fix a laminated A4 poster to your fence, tree or gate. All you have to do is email tomlinscote.kings@gmail.com and provide your name and address and the poster will appear outside your property showing support against the merger. Or we can post it through your door for you to fix.

If you have a large fence in a prominent location on the school routes or junctions where there is a lot of traffic please request A3 size.

Please act now to tomlinscote.kings@gmail.com

To download the poster click on it above or on this link.

When you click on the link you can use the

File menu on the blue line

and

select Print (PDF) to print the document.

If you want to download the file use the

Download Original option

..... happy printing! 

Examples of Parental comments to governors

Some people have written some excellent letters to the governors that do a very professional job of picking to pieces every aspect of the potential merger.  Other parents have written heartfelt pleas to avoid what they see as the various disastrous aspects a merger would bring.

But other parents have said while they want to write something thy don't know where to begin.  Here as an aid is what other parents have said about the merger.  These are their words but only snippets which do not do the original letters justice - they do however give a good taster of how people feel.


http://tomlinscote-kings.blogspot.com/2011/05/governors-are-presented-with-split-site.html

http://tomlinscote-kings.blogspot.com/2011/05/educational-and-emotional-disruption.html

http://tomlinscote-kings.blogspot.com/2011/05/kids-roads-and-travel-parents-inform.html

Write that letter - it does not have to be a work of art it has to say what you feel.

Buy a balloon for the Balloon Race

Quantity

1 Balloon £1.00 2 Balloons £2.00 3 Balloons £3.00 4 Balloons £4.00 5 Balloons £5.00

Message to go on balloon

For a £1 you can have your own orange balloon in the CAM Balloon race.

On Friday 10th June at 5:15pm there will be a balloon release from the Crab & Dragon Public House, Frimley Road.

Please buy your balloon (£1) to show your support for CAM.  Your message will be attached to your balloon and prizes will be awarded for the balloons that travel furthest before 1st July.

At 4:15pm on Friday 10th June Mr P J Wilkinson (Acting Head of Schools & Learning - Surrey CC) will be walking the 1.8 miles between proposed split sites.  He has agreed to carry a weight equivalent to that carried by our children each day and will be joined by Louise Nicholas, Heather Wild and members of CAM.  Anyone with concerns or issues is not encouraged to take the walk on this occasion, but to meet at the Crab & Dragon for the balloon release.

The balloon release is just one of the ways in which CAM are looking to raise awareness for the proposed merger and ensure that all stakeholders and interested parties are fully informed of the detrimental effects that this proposal would have on our children's education and quality of life.

Fabulous CAM Curry fundraisers on 8th and 21st June

We are holding Curry Evening Fundraisers on 8th and 21st June at the Mogul, London Road Bagshot.

Your meal costs £20 per person of which 50% goes to CAM - Campaign Against Merger. Dinner starts at 7.30pm.

Menu includes a set starter, choice of main course from main menu, naan bread, rice and vegetables. Cash only for the meal to be paid on the night - but you can buy drinks and desserts by card or cash as these are billed separately.

Please contact Tina Carney by email to book your table.

Each table needs to bring a raffle prize in the shape of a bottle, but doesn't need to be alcohol!

Please help us to finance our campaign - and have a great meal as well - the Mogul is a great place to eat!! Booking is essential!

http://www.camberleypeople.co.uk/Curry-Nights-Support-CAM-Mogul-Bagshot/story-12722217-detail/story.html

Consultation timeframe advice

Please make sure you are fully informed before filling in your consultation forms.
The deadline for completing the forms and having them sent to County is Friday June 17th as stated in the consultation document.
CAM will be providing you with an overview of the consultation form by Thursday June 9th and various issues to consider before you fill your forms in.
CAM will also be providing a full annotated version of the whole consultation document by Thursday June 9th for people who are interested.  
We will be providing you with a legal overview of the consultation by Sunday June 11th.
During the next two weeks we will be updating the blog site in relation to various issues raised in the consultation document for your consideration.
On Tuesday 14th June CAM will be holding a drop in event at Krooner Park Club House Camberley Football Club from 1.00pm until 10.30pm for anyone who would like to discuss issues or would like advice in relation to the consultation paper. Please come and join us for a chat and to find out more about what CAM is doing.
Remember the consultation document issued by SCC is in relation to Closing Kings and the possible future expansion of Tomlinscote School.
The decision whether to expand Tomlinscote School is being made by the Governors of Tomlinscote. Any comments written on your SCC consultation papers WILL NOT be seen by the Governors of Tomlinscote. If you want the governors of Tomlinscote to consider your view point you need to email: governors.consultation@tomlinscote.surrey.sch.uk
If you have any queries and wish to speak to a member of CAM please email tomlinscote.kings@gmail.com or feel free to come to our drop in event at Krooner Park on Tuesday 14th June.

Louise Nicholas
Chair CAM


Link to a Micro$oft WORD version of the consultation response form.

C.A.M. advice on governor meetings

When you attend your governor meetings during the week remember that the Governors of Tomlinscote will be voting at some stage over the next month on whether to back Surrey County Council’s proposal to expand Tomlinscote creating a split site school at key stage three with years 7,8 and 9 on the current Kings site and key stage 4/5 years 10,11,12 and 13 on the current Tomlinscote site.     As parents you need to consider what effect the expansion will have educationally on your children. You may be concerned about the split site, siblings being separated, how the tutor groups will be managed throughout their schooling due to the split or the travel and traffic implications of the split. Many have raised staffing issues regarding teacher retention and recruitment to this newly expanded school. It is generally known that a majority of teachers do not see this split site scenario career enhancing. How will the teaching continuity be maintained across the split sites? Several parents have talked about the student and staff integration issues. The change of school site at the critical year 10 stage when they start their GCSEs is of major concern to many parents who fear it could impact on their educational outcomes. Kings are concerned about the potential loss of specialist outstanding SEN provision, and English as a Second Language skill. The strong pastoral care provided by Kings is likely to be lost due to the size of this new school. This is a worry for many who feel their child will just be a number in the new mega school. It could become the biggest school in Surrey and in the near future in the whole of the UK. The consultation document does not explain how they will maintain educational standards during the transformation period. The consultation paper lacks the detail required to answer the questions from an informed view point and thus is misleading.

It has been indicated by PJ Wilkinson in the recent Public meetings that this may be a temporary solution as a predicted rise in pupil numbers will mean that by 2020 the school will probably require at least 14 forms of entry a PAN of 420+ pupils and could be split again to become two schools. If this didn’t happen the expanded Tomlinscote would potentially be the largest secondary school in the UK. Why are we risking the educational outcomes of thousands of Surrey Heath children for a short term fix where the risk of failure is high and the capability of both SCC and the Governors to oversee the expansion is also an unknown factor? The overcrowded Tomlinscote campus issue must surely be queried as only in the last couple of years governors authorised the building of the new vocational centre on this site and the repositioning of the caretakers bungalow. This should not have been authorised if space was such an issue. The consultation paper provides clear possible financial incentives to go forward with this proposal but the money is not secured and tied down. It should also be remembered that if Kings was not in its current situation Tomlinscote would not be able to takeover Kings and basically asset strip it. Tomlinscote would need to manage its own budgets effectively and innovatively just like all other secondary schools. Kings do not want pity and for people to be community minded they have a school that is improving and a viable alternative in an Academy, they have parents that believe in Kings and want it to have a future.

     The National Governor’s Association Code of Conduct states that the governing body is the school’s accountable body. It is responsible for promoting high standards and to ensure that the children are attending an effective school which provides them with a good education and supports their well being. The Every Child Matters agenda means that schools are now accountable for children’s health and well- being in the community. The role of the Governors at Tomlinscote in law irrespective of being a parent, local authority, community or staff governor should be to have the welfare of Tomlinscote School as a whole as their overriding concern according to the NGA Code of Conduct. The Governors should abide by the Nolan Committee’s seven principles of public life which are selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Please think carefully about what you wish to say to the governors and use these meetings to positively influence them to say NO to this proposal as educationally it is not in our children’s best interests.