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Today St Bernard's Monday Letter contained official confirmation that the Expression of Interest phase has begun. Another nail is driven home. St Joseph's letter is due on Friday 22nd. So, wake up everyone who's against this idea! The Expression of Interest phase could be over by the end of this term, then comes the Feasibility phase and the funding agreement could be signed by this time next year. In other words, it's all going to plan. The letter from the school was interesting reading in terms of both content and tone. There's a definite implication that the governors didn't exactly feel fully informed: "Following a letter from the DCSF to Slough Local Authority, the Governors requested a meeting with the Diocese to seek clarification on plans and procedure." "The letter from the DCSF stated that the next stage is for a consultant to work with Slough Borough Council and the Diocese of Northampton, as the lead sponsor, to draw up an Expression of Interest. This would involve consultation with parents and all interested parties." Not a mention of either school's governing bodies here; just the Diocese and Slough Borough Council.
"The Governors sought further clarification regarding the proposed opening date of any new school and repeated their intention that the new school should come about only after all due plans and processes have been agreed, all procedures have been completed and the new buildings are in place. The Diocese has assured the Governing Body that no dates have been agreed and that there is much to be discussed in the future." Again, the implication is that it's the Diocese in the driving seat, speeding towards the destruction of St Bernard's. The governors, it seems, are in the back seat, begging it to slow down. What we certainly don't have in this letter is a ringing endorsement of the plan from the governors. The mention of the new buildings is worrying. Is there genuine concern amongst the governors that St Bernard's may close as a grammar school without any guarantee of new buildings? What an unmitigated disaster that would be! Perhaps the letter is phrased as it is simply to shift the blame to the Diocese and LEA. Hopefully, however, it indicates that support from the governors is not 100% wholehearted. It's time for the school and governors to tell us where they stand. To comment on this article, go to our dedicated message board. |
