Governors' 'dismay' at school merger
GOVERNORS have accused a council of "railroading" through plans to close their special school and of ignoring the concerns of parents and staff.
Now the governing body at Heathfield School, in Chell Heath, is calling for reassurances that vulnerable children won't suffer once the changes go ahead.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's executive and members' board has voted to issue closure notices for the school as part of a reorganisation of special education.
The plans include merging Heathfield with Middlehurst School, in Chell. This could happen in September 2010, although the two existing sites would be used until around 2013. Pupils would then be based in a building at Middlehurst.
Education officials say the changes are necessary because both schools have falling pupil numbers.
They want to ensure the north of the city continues to have provision for special needs pupils.
Heathfield initially thought the reorganisation would involve an amalgamation with Kemball School, in Fenton, which caters for pupils with a similar range of severe and complex needs.
Middlehurst has traditionally educated youngsters with moderate learning difficulties. Families fear the two groups of youngsters will have problems mixing.
Christine Quinlan, chairman of governors at Heathfield, said: "The governors, staff and parents of Heathfield School are increasingly dismayed at the way in which they are being totally ignored and misrepresented as part of the drive to force through the current reorganisation plan."
Governors claim the revised proposals have been drawn up with "indecent haste". They also fear the road network around Middlehurst is not suitable for increased school traffic.
The Reverend Stephen Pratt, who is the vicar at two churches in the Chell area, is also a governor at Heathfield School.
He said: "Staff are not going to stay with the uncertainty. As it stands, we would be taken over by Middlehurst. One of my concerns is making sure Heathfield parents are represented on Middlehurst's governing body so they have got some say.
"We are not precious about the Heathfield site or keeping the school open. But we want to make sure our children get the best possible deal. Heathfield children can't talk for themselves."
Councillor Roger Ibbs, portfolio holder for children and young people's services, has agreed to a meeting at Heathfield next week.
He said: "Our primary concern is the welfare and education of the children of Heathfield. The chair of governors obviously does not understand the protection for Heathfield School presented by these proposals."
Mr Ibbs said Heathfield staff would not be disadvantaged when it came to transferring to the other school.
6 Comments
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by Lost4Words, Trentham
Friday, February 06 2009, 12:26PM
“Roger Ibbs,
Promised to meet with parents when he took over CYPS.
Refused to talk to or meet with parents until it was (in his words) too late to change anything.
Promise broken.
Roger Ibbs, promised to fight for THS when it was announced their would be 13 schools instead of 12.
Promise broken.
Roger Ibbs,
Vowed to represent his constituents when he was elected and then ignored them.
Promise broken.
Look to yourself Mr. Ibbs before you accuse others of writing rubbish.”
by Roger, stoke-on-trent
Thursday, February 05 2009, 10:30PM
“Chris, chris
I spoke to Marie and her partner during, after and since to promise them a meeting.
That meeting will take place on Tuesday of next week with Marie and Her partner, other parents, some governors, Mr. Rowney, myself and the Head of Heathfield.
Promise kept.
Why would I treat them with contempt when I worked in a voluntary capacity (no pay) for 2 years in a school for special needs children and my family have been connected with special needs provision to parents with special needs children and have raised thousands of pounds for disadvantaged people (with no publicity) and you have the cheek to suggest I dont care.
Check your facts before making cheap political comments.”
by Roger Ibbs, stoke-on-trent
Thursday, February 05 2009, 9:47PM
“Chris
What rubbish you write.
If I took no notice of Marie and her partner how come I went to them during, after and since the meeting.
I promised them a meeting to discuss Heathfield and guess what. The meeting takes place next Tuesday with Marie, her partner, other governors, Ged Rowney, Myself and the Head of the school.
Promise kept.”
by TaxiForMeredith, Glebe St
Thursday, February 05 2009, 1:13PM
“You've got to love Ibbs havent you ? Anyone who disagrees with him 'obviously hasn't understood' - just like those pesky parents in Trentham.
Mr Ibbs can you honestly not see the patronisingly, smug and arrogant manner you project every time you come into contact with the general public ?
There's a taxi waiting for you too pal !”
by Nicky, Save Trentham High Campaign
Thursday, February 05 2009, 12:37PM
“Well done governors, continue to stand up for what you need for your pupils! And if you want to amalgamate with Kemball and not Middlehurst, insist on it.
Of course the decision has been called in, because of the lack of proper consultation. But whatever the Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee decide on February 11th, the Executive and Members Board will treat it with contempt and disregard it if it's not to their liking.
My advice, whatever Ibbs tells you, get it in writing and cross reference it with a reliable source. Whatever Rowney tells you, put it through a sercobabble filter - go through and delete all the bits that say absolutely nothing about what is in practical terms going to be done, then see if there are any real facts there at the end of it, then check those also.”