Dunottar/ Reigate Grammar - Merger, or what?

[quandry]

Got the letter today, and I have to say I don't really understand what is going on?
Is RGS bailing out Dunottar to save it going under?
I can't see the advantages for RGS at all?

Someone suggested that perhaps they'd make it co-ed, less academic school in the future (like a Box Hill in Reigate?) and share facilities more? (Sports fields closer than Hartswood?)

Luckypup - this was the first mention of the one year guarantee though? Bit late for the parents to be given this information for the first time?

I don't think a year was ever specified, someone up the thread pointed out that a year was mentioned in the open letter from DV, just an unfortunate wording in the letter from DV when describing the agreement with RGS.

Sheldon as I said though, a bit hard to up the numbers in fairness to D, as the entry point is September (ok a few outside of this date, but not many across any school!).

The confidence appeared to have been returning across Reigate based on the fact that D was within the group (although as a separate company, as RSM were at the beginning of their eventual total merger into RGS). D do not appear to have been given the time afforded to RSM to turn numbers around in the same way. 11 months is not time enough in a normal business, far less in education with ONE main point of entry.

Bellie, I would agree that 1 year wouldn't be sufficient time, but maybe they thought that as you indicated the confidence would return to Dunottar and the comfort letter wouldn't be required beyond that year, especially if the numbers only needed a marginal improvement. I'm not clear whether numbers did increase over that time or not.

Sorry, this question seems to have got lost in the noise.

Luckypup ... is there proof that D would have closed in July 2013? Where is this available for us all to see? Just interested. thanks.

Alberteinstein
I personally don't have proof, this was information stated in a letter to RGS and RSM parents from chairman of governors on 15 th jan which also told us about the consultation peroid that D was going through. I am a parent to both schools so I received this letter as an email from school.

Sheldon, agreed, I'm not sure that the numbers did increase, but at the time of the announcement of consultation for closure the numbers were only 5% short. Given that they did not wait to see what the numbers would be for 2014 entry I'm still waiting to be shown what RGS did actually do to assist D to get a rise in numbers.

Certainly the evidence that I have seen is that they accepted a large number of girls from year 9 in D without following the normal process, and they asked them to start within a week of sitting testing.

Also (and this is only hearsay but very strong hearsay!!) RGS said that they would be able to waive the terms notice - completely outside of process and also completely undermining D's position, and ability to stabilise their numbers. They have not accepted anyone from other schools in these circumstances I am led to believe.

However, I am sure that this will all become clear in the fullness of time. I am not trying to stir between one school and another, but find it interesting from a business perspective and as I have said before, I strongly believe in choice within Reigate.

I know that RSM is not completely automatic feed into RGS, but that will be the prep of choice if RGS is the only senior in the town. I wonder what Micklefield are thinking? Have they been asked to complete the survey?

Luckypup: forgive me. When you said: "To answer your question, if RGS hasn't stepped in to help when D requested then D would of have to close down abruptly in July 2013." I thought you had proof of that. I do apologise.

I wonder if anyone else can corroborate that?

Bellie
I have a daughter in yr9 at RGS and she knows if the new girls from D, there are only 4 or 5 that have started since Christmas, so not really large numbers. The reason that RGS wanted to start the girls ASAP after testing, is because the yr9s at rgs have already started on their gcse courses and they wanted the girls from D to not miss out. Hope this explains.

Luckypup it does help, but I guess in terms of numbers that would be large to D as they only have 190 (?) in the school in total - in fact that would almost be the 5% shortfall that the governors are saying is part of the reason for closure?

The situation is shameful and the fact the plug was pulled without even the headmistress of Dunottar being told reinforces the case for legal action. As there is now more media interest with more radio broadcast planned that may extend to national radio, the material support for the school has been beyond belief.

Yes bellie, very true. We have also been told that the magic number was 194 at beginning of sept 13 and has since reduced as more girls have left since then. So I guess numbers are definitely below 190 now.
An awful situation for everyone involved and the waiting process must be very difficult. I think we all need to be patient to wait and see what the final outcome will be.

Given the falling numbers and uncertainty over its future, I really wonder, where these increased numbers are expected to come from. For people outside of Dunottar choosing a school, they have the choice of a number of successful, growing, tried and tested schools.....or they can't take a risk with their child's future and go for the one with all this hanging over it, or in its immediate past, if it is saved. You would have to be very convinced all of this wasn't going to recur a few years down the line to take that risk, wouldn't you. How many people will really put their money where their mouths are, even if they in principle support Dunottar.
Sad, but the downward spiral can reach a point from which there is no return. I don't know if it is at that point yet, but suspect it is.

Legaleagle - is it true that the plug was pulled without the headteacher being told?

Luckypup - it turns out that a friend's yr9 daughter was told to move in Nov or forever hold her peace. Yet more have been allowed to jump ship at similarly short notice since then? RGS is a veritable tardis.

I understand the head was told the evening before the shock announcement to staff and parents the following morning.

Alberteinstein
I guess that shows that RGS are very accommodating in accepting D girls and want to help as much as they can.

Ah. That is so kind of them.

£18000 a year's worth of kind. I wish I could be so kind.

No Einstein, you are not kind. You pretend to be and then pull out a nasty comment. And you are completely wrong about the £18k. If you want to get a dig in, then at least get your facts correct or you just end up looking bitter, jealous and petty. Whatever is your agenda.

Have just been told be a colleague that school governors can held personally responsible for their actions, scarey!

It is merely an observation. RGS fees are over £5k a term and as is my experience of private schools there are overheads on top of that.
I'm sorry if you think my comments are nasty.

Yup, I'd never be a trustee. I was once invited to be a trustee of a staff pension scheme, didn't like the personal liability bit so said no thanks!

legaleagle, who told you that?

The situations where a trustee can be held personally liable are pretty limited when the charity takes the form of a limited company, and usually there is insurance cover in place.