New Secondary Schools for Richmond 2

[BayJay]

I'm starting this new thread because the other one of the same name has filled up.

Council also assumes that removal of linked school system will reduce out of borough students. Infact with no sign of either kingston school or any free school application there its likely to increase students from kingston in grey court . Also I only think students from hounslow into richmond will increase .
Its a real shame to see the council officers and politicians taking such big risks with education . Chris is this not maladministration that lib dems can stop or do we all hope for divine intervention !

The link policy was already favouring Kingston pupils at Grey Court and tbe trend was continuing. The PAN of the three linked Kingston schools is 240 and with siblings they had priority at the school even after moving further away. Their numbers would prevent unlinked Richmond primaries from forming links but like Orleans there would be few places left to allocate on distance once Grey Court's numbers went down to 200.

Kingston pupils still seem to feel at a disadvantage now the policy has been dropped.

How does the education maintenance allowance work ? Are you implying that there will be less money for an establish RuTC, but the govt will be able to fund 6th forms in the other secondaries.

No. The changes to EMA have had an impact on demand for post-16 education generally.

The introduction of Sixth Forms here, and in other boroughs that have traditionally sent children to RuTC, will also have an impact, but the two things aren't connected.

This simple model of what may happen can be made as complicated (and hopefully, thereby, more realistic) as is needed by adding more different outcomes and assigning probabilities to them. If the Council have done this, they haven't told us.

No, they haven't. Some members of the scrutiny committee suggested that they should, but they were outvoted. See Item 32 of these minutes. We discussed the forecast in this thread quite extensively back in November.

Akhan: ?Maladministration? requires at least one of:

broken promises; delay; failure to follow procedures or the law; failure to investigate; failure to provide information; failure to reply; inadequate consultation; inadequate liaison; inadequate record-keeping; incorrect action or failure to take any action; misleading or inaccurate statements.

The Local Government Ombudsman does not usually criticise a decision which has been properly taken simply because someone disagrees with it. They will however look at the way the decision was made.

The minute of the November meeting suggests complacency to me but nothing that would fall under one of these headings:

? . . Due to the small margin for errors in the up-take figures, some members of the Committee suggested that the variability of the reports figures be highlighted to Cabinet. However, the majority of members did not hold the same view. The Cabinet Member for Schools assured the Committee the figures had been very well thought out, but he would ensure that every variable had been considered and nothing overlooked, before a report was sent to Cabinet for approval.?

Very interesting figures Chris. It does seem as though A + B + C is unlikely and none of them look that certain.

Grey Court is not in a very convenient location for most children in LB Richmond. I've only recently realised that both the primary schools in Ham are tiny - one form of entry and St Richards isn't even full. I therefore can't see that North Kingston children are going to be squeezed out on distance even without the linked schools system. The other children that are relatively nearby and in LB Richmond are either in Teddington so go to Teddington School, or in Petersham and Richmond where I'd imagine a lot go private.

Christ's attracts a lot of Richmond pupils too although there aren't so many CofE primary school pupils on that side of the river. It's possible that in future more pupils will be crossing bridges from both sides. Another long-term consideration is that if schools convert to academies they may vary admission criteria and/or create links in a new way.

305 school places ( or 2 new secondary schools) cant be a small margin of error . Despite suggestion at the SC meeting, if no action was taken, it appears to me its a clear case of failure to investigate !

This TES article covers the Clifden Road issue, albeit a little innacurately (its description of the proposed VA admissions policy isn't quite right).

BayJay, I think that's an important point for the council - and the Diocese - to answer. Even some Catholics supporting the VA school proposal have suggested perhaps 30% open places allocation as a compromise. It would seem fairer, considering the more open policy at Christ's - and then it wouldn't matter if few non-Catholic actually chose to take up the places. Especially because the link policy no longer excludes Catholics from community schools.

I hadn't realised that children in care and adopted children are also divided into religious groups in faith schools - how is it right to discriminate against a vulnerable group?

That story is on the BBC website too - has it been on TV?

In Daily Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9176923/Gove-backs-50pc-limit-on-faith-school-admissions.html

muminlondon - where did you find this out " I hadn't realised that children in care and adopted children are also divided into religious groups in faith schools - how is it right to discriminate against a vulnerable group?"

Gmsing. I haven't double checked but I believe its in the proposed VA school admission policy.

muminlondon is right. I looked into this and had my letter in RTT published yesterday
"Sally Ellis' letter on 23 March RTT states that people of other faith can be admitted into the Catholic secondary. I would suggest that she carefully reads their admission policy ans realises that it will be almost impossible for non-catholics to gain admission ( just like the non-catholics find in existing RC primaries). Unless the school is unpopular with the Catholic commnuity, there will not be spaces. Even under clause 7 for non catholics priority will be given to Eastern Christians, making it all the more discriminatory for those practising other minority religions.
Their proposal which can be found on www.rcdow.org.uk/education/default.asp?library_ref=8&content_ref=3702 states the following oversubsription criteria

1. Catholic looked after children and Catholic children who have been adopted (or made subject to residence or special guardianship orders) immediately following being looked after.
2. Community places for children attending the new Richmond Primary School and holding a community place at that school.
3. Baptised Catholic children from practising Catholic families who are resident in the parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, East Sheen; Sacred Heart, Teddington; St Edmund, Whitton; St Elizabeth, Richmond; St Francis de Sales, Hampton; St James, Twickenham; St Margaret, East Twickenham; St Mary Magdalen, Mortlake; St Osmund, Barnes; St Theodore, Hampton; St Thomas Aquinas, Ham and St Winefride, Kew.
4. Baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parishes listed in criterion 3 above.
5. Other baptised Catholic children.
6. Other looked after children and children who have been adopted (or made subject to residence or special guardianship orders) immediately following being looked after.
7. Children from other Christian traditions and from other faiths. Priority will be given to members of the Eastern Christian (including Orthodox) Churches.
8. Any other children. "

Here is a direct link to the document Akhan is citing: Diocese of Westminster Proposal to Establish a Voluntary-Aided Secondary School.

The Telegraph story says: ' . . Although the new school is not bound by the 50 per cent limit, it is thought its backers have now agreed to adhere to the same limits . . a spokesman for the DfE said: ?New faith free schools can recruit up to 50 per cent of their pupils on the faith grounds. In the case of the new VA school proposed in Richmond, its composition is entirely a matter for the local authority and the diocese, and we would not seek to influence that decision in any way."
But a spokesman for the Department for Education said: ?It has long been the case that voluntary-aided schools can recruit up to 100 per cent of their pupils on the grounds of faith, where the school receives more applications than it has places, and there are absolutely no plans to change that. "New faith free schools can recruit up to 50 per cent of their pupils on the faith grounds. In the case of the new VA school proposed in Richmond, its composition is entirely a matter for the local authority and the diocese, and we would not seek to influence that decision in any way."

it is thought its backers have now agreed to adhere to the same limits
Chris, that article is pretty badly researched so I'd assume this was misinterpretation by the journalist rather than new information.

Yes, I saw the letter and was reading the proposals yesterday. Interesting Telegraph article too. The point about Catholics being turned away doesn't fit with the argument that most pupils from Richmare already getting places at other Catholic schools.

'Richmond' I mean.

Dear Grown-ups,

Hello my name is Jacob. I am 5 years old and I live in my parents house two minutes away from Clifden road.

As I am only five and my big sister is only eight, we have not decided what, if any, religion, we want to follow in our lives. I think I am too young to decide such a big spritual thing yet. Probably still will be when I am eleven too. Don't you think so? How can I choose, I'm only five!

My family has people who like God in it and also some who totally don't. I do have a friend, also five who is called a Catholic, whatever that is. Unfortunately we couldn't go to the same primary school but would love to go to the same Secondary school, especially as our Mums are very good friends and we have been friends since we were played together as babies.

When I am eleven, or when my big sister turns eleven, can you explain why we can not go to my school right by my house, which will be nice and safe for us to walk to? Just because my Mum and Dad don't go to a 'Catholic church' or because they did not take me when I was a baby to have some water sprinkled on me ?? I'm only five, how can I make them do this?

I may grow up to do something called the 'Catholic faith'. I have no idea yet, but I can't make them do things for me, can I?

I would like to go to my local school, so all my playdates, and all my friends will be nearby. I have heard already that we need to take care of our planet, so if I can walk to school and all the connected places, like school-friends houses, is that not better for the earth than driving a car? I get tired very easily, and love to sleep a lot, I don't want to catch 2 or 3 buses to go to school everyday, miles away. I want to live near my friends. Why doesn't everyone go to the school nearest their house?

My Mum and Dad do work and they told me they pay money to a thing called the government who gathers up money from all the other grown ups with jobs, to pay for all us children go to school. If this government thing makes a new school right near my house, why could I not go to it? Why would my place be given to a different child living in some other place (like a thing called 'Barnes' or 'Hounslow') just because their parents did go to a church? It's not their school, its my school, near me not them!

You would really like me if you met me. I am not the typical boy my mum was expecting! I get quite scared at the cinema, I am very kind to my sisters. I am a unique and special little boy. I wrote my own name when I was just three and my Mum was astounded! I am very very keen to learn and want a very good school with nice teachers who teach me lots of things.

If there was a school near me that already belonged to some other people called 'the Catholic church' then maybe, I kind of get why they kept it for their own gang and no-one else allowed. But my Mummy told me that all the grown-ups near us clubbed together to buy the school. It belongs to everyone. But then Mummy said the government people may give it away to only one gang of people who won't let me in! Is it not fairer to share it with everybody that paid the money?

Who knows I could grow up to belong to this gang of people? I could even work for them one day couldn't I? I don't know yet. I am a nice well behaved boy, I'm not naughty and I know its wrong to hit your sisters even when they annoy you! My mum says I'm very gentle and kind. How can anyone tell now, what I will be like when I'm a grown up? Why can't I go to my school nearest me with my friend?

Hmmm, is it that you are not allowed to be different to your parents? If your parents don't join up to a gang, or go to a church does that mean I will always be exactly the same? I am not allowed to join in this 'gang' just because my parents didn't? Am I allowed when I'm older? Can't I decide my own stuff in my own life?

I'm not the same as them you know! I am me!

My Dad said there are lots more children at primary schools near us, and they were all getting really really busy. He said more babies were growing up and he said a thing called the 'link system' (eh?) is going away and schools are getting even more busy, so there will not be enough space at schools nearby when I'm eleven.
I agree with my Dad and the rest of my family, please don't make a new school, right by my house, for lots of other people further away, but not let me go?

Why do some of my friends get two kinds of schools to choose from, but I won't?

How is that fair?

Jacob, age 5 years.

Dear Jacob

My name is Sean and I am also 5 years old. I live with my Mummy and Daddy and big brother and live in Richmond.

I am only five but love to talk to God. I enjoy reading bible stories at bedtime and often lead my family in prayers. My big brother is making his First holy Communion this year. He tells me all about what he has learnt about our faith and when he speaks his eyes shine with joy. He is very excited about his big day and the fact that he will get to make the first big step by himself as a Catholic. It is very important to him and to our family.

We have a 20 min walk every day to our primary school. Our school is Catholic like us. I love our school it a friendly happy place. In class we learn about lots of other people and their special gods as well as get to know our God more.I love our assemblies every day when we get to have some still time and talk to God . Sometimes we get to go into the church for mass on special days. Mummy comes then too and the other mummies and lots of friends from church. Church, family and school everything fits together.

I like coming home every night and playing with my friends and playing football with other boys who go to different schools. But I am worried. I know that when I get to year 7 I won't be able to walk to school every day or even just take a short trip on a bus to get there. My journey will be hard to learn and take me an hour and a half at least every day. I will have to leave before 7 and walk a long way to a bus stop, catch a bus , then walk to the train , wait for a train and then catch another bus or take another long walk. I'm frightend I'll get lost !When I get home it will be dark in Winter and I will still have homework to do. I will not be home in time to play with my friends and enjoy after school clubs together.

But I know that there is a place that could become my school, much nearer to home where I can get on a train that takes only 7 minutes and then take a short 5 minute walk to school. Best of all I will be home to play with my friend next door after school, join lots of clubs, stay with my old school friends and get to take part in fun things like football matches, borough sports and competitions with other schools nearby.

You might ask me why I don't just go to any other school? Well to me and my family it is really really important that I can go to a school like my school now. I like to pray , I like to go to mass, I like to talk about Jesus , I like to talk to people who really understand the way I feel because this is so important to me. I want to stay with my school friends. This is the school I fit into. We are all different and Mummy tells me we are all special and that different people fit into different places and that is ok because we all need different things. Mummy says I should never try to make anybody else think just like me because that is not how a good world should work.

My school does not have any sign on it saying 'no Anglicans,no Sikhs, no Hindus, no Muslims, no Jews. Everybody is welcome in our school but sometimes it gets filled up, so filled up that even Sam and Jo from church can't come to our school because there is no room. Other times it is not so filled up and everybody can come. We have lots and lots of friends who go to different schools and Mummy and Daddy say it is always important to make new friends.

I hope Jacob we can be friends. I heard all about the new school you can go to in Egerton road. That is great perhaps we can meet after school in the park, or half way between our schools. Mummy tells me half way is only 12 minutes walk. If I go to this school I can be home in time to play with you in the park. We can join the same football team after school.

I am really really pleased that you will have another choice of school so close to home. But if that doesn't work out there is always Orleans Park which mummy says is a good school only 20 minutes walk away from your house. There is also a school that has been made brand new in whitton which looks really exciting.It has big new buildings, shiny windows and lots of space. Mummy says that Daddy's thing called 'taxes' have helped to pay for it to be built. It is only 13 minutes away from you by bus.

Jacob I am glad that you have 3 choices of local schools. I would be really really happy with just the one.
I hope that our Mummies and Daddies can sort things out and not argue anymore. There are lots of schools and we can all have one now . We can all find a place that we fit into and lets us grow in our own special way.I am sad that our one school may not be big enough for us to share but hope you understand that if you come my friend Sam will still have to go on all of those busses and trains every day and not be home in time to play with us. Could you manage do you think without 4 schools to chose from and just let Sam and I have just one please?

Your friend

Seanx

I feel a bit sick! Why can't Sean go to Christ's or Richmond Park Academy which are both near his home in Richmond and come home and read the bible and go to church on Sundays and let Jacob go to Clifden which will be much nearer his house in Twickenham than any other school. Surely the best thing is for all parents to say "no more long scary journeys, let's all go to school together and love one another".

lol Lottie - I couldn't actually bring myself to read it all due to the impending nausea!

(sorry Sean & Jacob, but I'm sure you'll still ace your SATS...)

By Y8 Jacob and Sean will be crossing London by train and tube for joint trips to Camden Market and the scary school journey will become a distant memory!