The DCSF letter states that "it has been agreed that the new Academy will open in September 2011 in existing buildings". When do you think the school will tell you about this date or any other that is being discussed at all these meetings? The Monday letter on 18 May said that "the Governing Body nor the school has received any official communication!" Does a letter have to be addressed to the School and Governing body for it to be considered as 'official communication'?
The only way that parents will have a say is to force the Diocese to stop this action. The Local Authority are happy to support this Academy as they will gain extra class spaces which they need to meet their school places requirement in Slough and it does not differentiate this amongst any particular faith groups. The formal Academy process has started and it is clear that communication to parents will only come after all the decisions have been made and St. Bernard's is to become an Academy. Where is the consultation? Where is the stakeholder engagement?
We are now being told that "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."
Who said this is not a "DONE DEAL?" The conversation, as we were informed, has moved from exploring options to concessions? What other concessions are being discussed regarding our children's education? There are 860 pupils at St. Bernard's so will 1,500+ keep the sponsors, school and governing body happy by doubling the nominal role? Will changing the Admission criteria satisfy them? They must change the current admission policy to secure Academy funding and fall into line with The Schools Admissions Code (10 February 2009). This must be declared and confirmed on the EoI (Expression of Interest) which is currently being prepared and finalised by the sponsors, Northampton Diocese and Slough BC, and not the school. If the EoI is approved and funding allocated neither the school or Governing body has authority to stop the proposal.
Parents have started to withdraw their children from the school, both existing and those with an offer to start in September 2009. Why do you think this is? Why have parents been put in such an invidious position? These decisions must have been very difficult but each parent has to consider their child's future education and welfare. No doubt the Diocese has been made aware of these decisions and reflected on the long term effect?
What can I do?
- We will be looking to collect the petition forms in the next few weeks so get as many sheets signed up. Ideally press coverage and handing it in to the PM is being explored.
- Our online e-petition has slowed down so get in touch with as many people to sign up to this as 1,000+ has to be our initial target.
- Write a letter to complain to all the relevant bodies. This list will be provided again if you have not done it already. Follow up on any responses and don't give up!
- Tell parents from feeder schools; a feeder school is where 4 or more children attend so it is not just about being in the Borough.
- Encourage parents with older children to participate. If it goes ahead in 2011, what impact will it have on the children doing their exams?
- Support this website and please log in to the new mailing group which has been set up for YOU. The details are as follows:
- We've setup a new mailing list powered by Google Groups.
To join it you don't need a Google account, just go HERE and enter your email address, then click the Subscribe button. - Anyone can email the list and everyone on the list will get the message. We want to get a discussion going.
- This list will be the prime means of communication so you can no longer subscribe to the web site.
What has the FACT campaign team been doing lately?
- We have been lobbying support from the NGSA, MP's, Councillors and Anti-Academy Alliances such as Graham Brady MP, Nick Seaton - Campaign for Real Education, Roisin Maguire - Headteacher of St. Joseph's (Stoke) and local Slough Conservative councillors.
- Researching information relevant to the legality of this process and closure of St. Bernard's.
- Discussing with the DCSF the information and process involved.
- Investigating plans to hold a public meeting to oppose the proposals.
Finally, in a recent address at a conference on the theme of ‘Education and Young People’ on 3rd June, our new Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said "that children should be taught Christian values in schools".
Archbishop Nicols went on to say "that Catholic schools have a crucial role to play in cultivating virtues such as honesty, justice and compassion. Using the words of St Paul, he talked of the ‘supreme advantage of knowing Christ saying: “such a supreme advantage of knowing Christ, gives rise to a way of life which we believe fosters true virtue, true, steady life- building habits of mind and action. That’s what virtue is. It’s those habits of mind and action which genuinely serve the common good; like honesty and justice and compassion and courage and prudence and temperance; that ability to moderate and use all things with good judgement.”
In his address he said “There are plenty of indicators in our society today that we need such civic virtues in addition to regulation. Schools are the places where such virtue is generated or where it is neglected.” Archbishop Nichols went on to say that: “Today we live in a society that tends to instrumentalise everything. In other words, everything is broken down to clear objectives and attainments and each is given a price. Once this really takes hold then education has truly entered the market place. We are finding ourselves considered as nothing more than consumers and suppliers.”
With these eloquent words resonating in your ears, do you think that St. Bernard's has now entered the 'market place' and that our children are nothing more than consumers?
