Communication from the Governors last week inviting parents to talk with them and providing feedback about frequently asked questions was very much welcomed. Some further clarity is sought on the following questions:
Questions 2 & 3
2. How do we know that Governors are able to see our emails?
Every governor has access to the dedicated e mail address mentioned above, and is able to read comments submitted by parents.
3. How are we collating the comments made to us?
One member of the Governing Body regularly collates parental responses and produces an objective summary that is then sent to all governors.
Parents were keen that all Governors directly read their concerns rather than having them summarised. Messages may be misinterpreted misunderstood if portions are viewed in isolation, this could lead to a skewed perspective. We recognise that summary information can pinpoint the main areas of concern and that recurring will be useful in directing Governors efforts. We also recognise that the Governing Body have an extremely heavy workload at present. However, to ensure that everyone's views have been listened to in the way they have been put across can we have an assurance from the Governors that they will read all submissions put to them before they vote and not just rely on a summary version.
Question 8
8. What is the date that the Due Diligence exercise is to start?
Due Diligence by BDO has already begun.
On what exact date did the Due Diligence process begin?
Question 9
9. What is the scope of the Due Diligence?
A committee of governors with considerable previous commercial experience, including mergers & acquisitions and consultation has collated a number of detailed questions relating to all key aspects l aspects of the operation of a combined split-site school, including financial, legal and educational matters. This has been communicated with the independent consultants, BDO, in great detail and this group of governors will continue to liaise with BDO throughout the process in order to address further questions which arise. All findings of the Due Diligence process will be considered in detail by all governors prior to a final decision being made; the timing of the Due Diligence is tied in to supporting the governors’ decision making and is not affected by the process or timing of the County’s consultation.
Please can we have some clarity over what the last sentence means.
What exactly is meant by timing in respect of the Due Diligence process?
When do the governors expect Due Diligence to end? Is there a specific date for this?
Does it mean that the Governors will give Due Diligence as long as is necessary or are they just saying the dates won't tie in with County's dates?
Other General Queries
On what date did Kings parents first get told they could e-mail Tomlinscote Governors?
Was this through the letter sent out to Kings parents on the 9th May? If not by what means and on what date was this communication delivered?
What active measures have Governors taken to ensure the Nepalese community have been engaged in this process?
Where do governors foresee the budgeting priorities to be if the split site operation goes ahead? How will the budget be allocated between the two sites?
Did ALL staff members at Tomlinscote school receive the Communication Committee letter distributed on 25th May? Did cleaners, lunchtime supervisors / kitchen staff, caretaker etc receive a copy of this letter or was it just teaching staff?
Do the Governors know if a consultation paper in respect of the Tomlinscote and Kings takeover has been sent to the Sports Centre Manager of Tomlinscote School or to Blue Leisure by SCC? If Yes, on what date was it sent? If not, why not?
Questions 2 & 3
2. How do we know that Governors are able to see our emails?
Every governor has access to the dedicated e mail address mentioned above, and is able to read comments submitted by parents.
3. How are we collating the comments made to us?
One member of the Governing Body regularly collates parental responses and produces an objective summary that is then sent to all governors.
Parents were keen that all Governors directly read their concerns rather than having them summarised. Messages may be misinterpreted misunderstood if portions are viewed in isolation, this could lead to a skewed perspective. We recognise that summary information can pinpoint the main areas of concern and that recurring will be useful in directing Governors efforts. We also recognise that the Governing Body have an extremely heavy workload at present. However, to ensure that everyone's views have been listened to in the way they have been put across can we have an assurance from the Governors that they will read all submissions put to them before they vote and not just rely on a summary version.
Question 8
8. What is the date that the Due Diligence exercise is to start?
Due Diligence by BDO has already begun.
On what exact date did the Due Diligence process begin?
Question 9
9. What is the scope of the Due Diligence?
A committee of governors with considerable previous commercial experience, including mergers & acquisitions and consultation has collated a number of detailed questions relating to all key aspects l aspects of the operation of a combined split-site school, including financial, legal and educational matters. This has been communicated with the independent consultants, BDO, in great detail and this group of governors will continue to liaise with BDO throughout the process in order to address further questions which arise. All findings of the Due Diligence process will be considered in detail by all governors prior to a final decision being made; the timing of the Due Diligence is tied in to supporting the governors’ decision making and is not affected by the process or timing of the County’s consultation.
Please can we have some clarity over what the last sentence means.
What exactly is meant by timing in respect of the Due Diligence process?
When do the governors expect Due Diligence to end? Is there a specific date for this?
Does it mean that the Governors will give Due Diligence as long as is necessary or are they just saying the dates won't tie in with County's dates?
Other General Queries
On what date did Kings parents first get told they could e-mail Tomlinscote Governors?
Was this through the letter sent out to Kings parents on the 9th May? If not by what means and on what date was this communication delivered?
What active measures have Governors taken to ensure the Nepalese community have been engaged in this process?
Where do governors foresee the budgeting priorities to be if the split site operation goes ahead? How will the budget be allocated between the two sites?
Did ALL staff members at Tomlinscote school receive the Communication Committee letter distributed on 25th May? Did cleaners, lunchtime supervisors / kitchen staff, caretaker etc receive a copy of this letter or was it just teaching staff?
Do the Governors know if a consultation paper in respect of the Tomlinscote and Kings takeover has been sent to the Sports Centre Manager of Tomlinscote School or to Blue Leisure by SCC? If Yes, on what date was it sent? If not, why not?
Do Governors intend to ask pupils for their views about what is proposed for the future of their school? If so, how will this be done?
Many thanks.
Please advise the previous commercial experience of the Governors and how this transposes across to education and split site mergers and management. Is it possible to establish the employment (if employed at all) and background experience of each Governor in this due diligence process. They might judge themselves as having previous commercial experience but this is not necessarily releveant to the job in hand. If legal proceedings do take place to challenge this merger then it will examine the experience of each and every Governor and whether they were qualified or indeed capable of making a decision at such an important level.
ReplyDelete'If legal proceedings do take place to challenge this merger then it will examine the experience of each and every Governor and whether they were qualified or indeed capable of making a decision at such an important level'. This was one of the questions I was going to ask the Governors next week - exactly what personal experience/ qualification do you have in making such an important decision, which will affect the education of thousands of students, now and in the future. To be fair, when they were first appointed to be Governors at Tomlinscote, they did not envisage having to make such a decision - in which case, instead of voting 'yes' to the merger, they should perhaps listen to the parents, community and students themselves and either vote against or abstain. I think the consequence of being legally challenged - would make them think twice - I certainly would!
ReplyDeleteStar Courier, Thursday June 2, 2011
ReplyDelete'Concerns over funding for Surrey Schools - Alarm bells ring at county council as more apply for academy status'.
Paper with this article has just come through my door. Much more illuminating into the insights of the Council's motives than anything PJ has said!! I believe this answers why they want the merger and why the County will never be supportive of Kings becoming an Academy! Bottom line is "impact on the county council's budget and services". Sounds to me like protection of Council jobs etc by sacrificing the quality of our children's education, educational choice, quality of life of pupils and local residents and offering teachers jobs to be sacrificed instead!!!