An education watchdog member has claimed governors and heads of Shropshire schools under threat of closure are scared to go public over their plight because of fears of an “exodus” from their schools.
Steve Barras claims a policy agreed last week for reorganising primary schools to tackle falling pupil numbers will have a disastrous impact on the community, including job losses and at least 30 schools closed.
Mr Barras, a co-opted member of the county council’s children and young people’s services scrutiny panel, said education managers had created an atmosphere in which leaders of smaller schools felt unable to speak openly about the plans.
He said: “Many governors and heads have felt unable to go public with the full implications of the policy for fear of creating an exodus from their own school.
“The policy has effectively been forced through without parents being fully aware of the implications and despite the concerns of the education scrutiny panel and the pleas of local MPs.
“At least 30 schools closed or merged, 30 communities blighted, numerous jobs lost and at least 1,500 children’s futures badly affected. All done on the basis of shaky evidence.”
Mr Barras claimed requ- ests for more detailed analysis and alternatives to the policy put before the county council had been ignored or even dismissed totally.
Councillor Ann Hartley, cabinet member for children’s services, said schools considered for review would be subject to an 11-stage planning, consultation and decision-making process.
Parents, governors, staff and councils will get the chance to have their say on the proposals. Reports will also be made to the county council cabinet, which will consider all responses before making a decision to proceed with any changes.
Mr Barras said an independent meeting was planned for the new year with interested parties including parents, governors and representatives from schools across the county.
Anyone interested in getting involved can e-mail steve@sbarras.wanadoo.co.uk
2 Comments
It’s Mr Barras and his like who are creating uncertainty and concern in schools. The policy (read it for yourself) sets out clearly what the process is going to be, and that school leaders wil be the first to be consulted over any suggested changes.
I disagree.
It is the council who are creating the uncertainty. You are extremely naive if you believe that any ‘consultation process’ is anything more than a ‘cross the t and dot the i’ exercise. For example when Bicton School was built the size it is, it was with future plans in mind rather than a failure to predict future birth rates in the area!