C.A.M. introduced on Surrey Residents

Parents of Kings International College & Tomlinscote School and members of the community met on Tuesday night and formed C.A.M. The title and strap line is explanation enough.......
See more here...

Cllr Duncan Clark - Why the merger of K and T should be halted

The proposed merger of two of our local secondary schools has caused a great deal of worry, annoyance and frustration amongst parents, residents and elected representatives of all political persuasions.................  See more here...

Governors letter to parents

This has been sent out by parent mail - however as I know that many parents with children currently in year 6 will be interested I'll repost it here.

Letter from Tomlinscote Governors

The email address governors.consultation@tomlinscote.surrey.sch.uk will be available from Monday 18th April.

Lack of information leads to speculation and distrust I therefore heartily welcome this opening of a "channel of communication" that has so far been lacking.  I also welcome the provision of information.  The more open and transparent the process is, and the better informed people are, the more confidence there will be in the process.

We acknowledge that there are a lot of voices to be heard and that this is not an easy task.  We will be happy to help the governors in any way that may facilitate improved communications.

For example by publishing answers to "Frequently asked Questions", or key documents.

On a slightly more controversial note.  It has been stated that the Tomlinscote governors and SurreyCC will be the only two participants in the decision.  I find that concerning for Kings parents.  I have had many very touching letters from Kings parents about the need for their institution to remain open and separate - I feel these people should communicate their feelings to the Tomlinscote governors so that can form part of their decision making process.  If the Tomlinscote governors are to make a decision that affects the parents and children of both schools they need to understand the feelings of both groups.

LibDems - Surrey CC should listen to parents and residents

http://surreyheathlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2011/482851/where-do-surrey-heath-liberal-democrats-stand-on-the-proposed-kings-international-tomlinscote-schools-merger

Where do Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats stand on the proposed Kings International / Tomlinscote Schools merger?

April 14, 2011 11:00 AM
By Cllr Duncan Clark

By Cllr Duncan Clark, Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Liberal Democrats:

Although education is a Surrey County Council matter, their decisions affect all residents, so it is right and proper that Borough Councillors put forward their views on this issue.

Our position is clear. We are yet to be convinced of the need to merge both schools.

Firstly, the proposals put forward by the County Council do not provide a clear financial case for the merger, as we believe the data used to reach their decision on pupil numbers is not clear and robust.

Secondly, the proposed merger lacks clarity on the maintenance and improvement of educational standards, that parents and students from both schools would expect.

Finally, the proposal takes no account of the impact on parents 'preparation and planning' for the education of their children, and gives little thought to the logistical nightmare that some may face with a split school proposal. Importantly, it also takes no account of the impact on other Surrey Heath residents e.g. school run grid lock on our roads.

It is clear to us that Surrey County Council has published its proposals to absorb Kings International School into Tomlinscote School prematurely - in an effort to 'draw the fire' of parents and other critics of the 'plan'.

In making such a rushed proposal, without having adequately done the groundwork through prior consultation and an assessment of the implications and described the measures which could be taken to mitigate the difficulties created by the merger, the County Council has simply caused a huge amount of disruption and uncertainty amongst pupils and parents of both schools.

The County Council now faces a huge task in convincing those impacted that it has acted on the basis of up to date data and in the best interests of Surrey Heath children. It has also created the impression that the 'Consultation' on the proposals is a complete sham and that it will force through the merger proposal irrespective of local views.

All interested parties should obtain and understand the full proposals from the County Council. They should satisfy themselves that the County Council is:

1) basing its decision making on sound facts and forecasts and that it has considered the option of 'not merging' correctly.

2) that proper mitigating measures are taken to minimise any negative environmental impacts brought about by the change

3) that it is going to take proper steps to ensure that educational standards are maintained and improved as a result of the changes rather than worsened, including during the critical transitional phase.

If the County Council cannot persuade parents and others that standards are going to be maintained and improved, they should abandon the plan and work to establish three quality Secondary Schools in Surrey Heath.

Michael Gove link

http://www.michaelgove.com/pdf/Surrey_Heath_Champion_Autumn2009.pdf

Surrey Heath Conservatives against the merger.

http://www.surreyheathconservatives.co.uk/

Will the governors uphold their duty to have a dialogue with parents?

The instructions NOT to phone or email school when this is the only method of contacting the governors seems to suggest that the governing body will not engage with parents.

It is vitally important that this is rectified ASAP so that the parent voice can be heard and so that the governors can meet their legal obligations.

Section 21(7) of the Education Act 2002 (as inserted by Section 38 of The Education and Inspections Act 2006) places a duty on governing bodies to have regard to any views expressed to them by parents of registered pupils at the school in exercising their functions.

Governors and the law

A number of people have asked about the law as it pertains to governing bodies of schools.  Here is an excellent link.
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance/guidetothelaw
For those who are governors - confidential advice can be sought from
http://www.governorline.info/welcome/

In particular those parents who feel that the behaviour of the governors is currently to ignore parents might want to read..

Section 21(7) of the Education Act 2002 (as inserted by Section 38 of The Education and Inspections Act 2006) places a duty on governing bodies to have regard to any views expressed to them by parents of registered pupils at the school in exercising their functions.
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance/guidetothelaw/b0065507/gttl/parent-councils/views-parents

How the Kings parents who do not have a governing body, are represented is less than clear.  However if this snippet is anything to go by...

Governing bodies should demonstrate in Section 2 of the School Evaluation Form (SEF) the methods they have used to seek the views of parents and how those views have influenced their decision making. They should ensure that views are sought from all categories of parents including those with disabilities, those who may be disengaged and parents of particular groups of pupils who may face significant barriers to their inclusion such as language, literacy or culture. Governing bodies should consider whether any documents should be translated into other languages.


It would suggest that Kings should have had initial letters translated for the Nepalese community.

Split sites discussion TES

Staff input interesting
http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/p/481833/6674266.aspx#6674266

Councillors sign petition

• On the SurreyCC website
• http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/tomlinscotekings/

Note that the following have signed their names.

Cllr John May
Cllr Moira Gibson
Cllr Wayne Henderson
Cllr Richard Brooks
Cllr Josephine Hawkins
Cllr Edward Hawkins
Cllr Beverley Harding
Cllr Audrey Roxburgh

Cllr Adrian Page
Cllr Valerie White
Cllr Bill Chapman
Cllr Tim Dodds

Whatever the outcome people should feel happy that those letters, emails and phone calls they made have had a positive effect, please continue to lobby and support the cause.. you are having an effect.

School Bus Promises - You can bet these will be hollow.

Transport is a big issue to many parents if the proposed merger were to go ahead. I urge you though to think beyond it as an issue. The main issue is that the chaos of the merger and the split site solution will be an educational disaster that WILL affect the education of your children. The inconvenience of transport pales into insignificance beside the educational damage your child will likely suffer. Depending on the point at which your child is affected and your childs needs this could range from "not ideal" to "affecting your childs future prospects".

however...

We were told we will be offered school buses as a way of overcoming the transport issues.  Frankly given the aggressive attempts by SurreyCC to remove / reduce school bus provision I do not believe that any promises would be worth the paper they were written on.  At best it would just be a tactic to reduce opposition to the merger to be able to force it through.

Please don't fall for this or you will end up in a position that is too late to change and fighting like this:-

SurreyCC petition:  Revoke the Proposed cessation of transport to denominational schools

Primary School Bus Cuts in Surrey
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8342799.stm
Also Deepcut service personnel will have their childrens bus to the Grove school removed.

Faith School Bus Cuts in Surrey
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-12961075

Collingwood Bus Cuts

Parents protested
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2073930_parents_take_to_cars_in_bus_cuts_protest http://chobhamnews.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/school-bus-protest-brings-traffic-to-a-standstill/

Surrey CC eventually backs down (for a year) before no doubt trying again.
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2065641_rethink_on_cuts_to_school_bus_services

Google around it goes on and on and on....

SurreyCC get figures wrong and close school "by accident"

How confident do we feel in SurreyCC to "get this right"?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-13047391