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?)

The emotions run strong.

I have been told by a good Dunottar source that the Dunottar governors, before RGS , were going to close Funotrar at Easter 2013.

They had been to banks and charities who would not take them on. Rgs helped.

Dunnottar had failed before RGS got involved butbthe Head and Governors pleaded and said they were confident that Sep 2013 & Sep 2014 would see numbers back at approx 40 in a year group. RGS gave that chance but Dunnottar Headmistress didn't deliver.

The decision to close was taken at the Governors meeting the night before parents and staff were told. No one knew before that meeting.

RGS never say they are full, they try to find places for boys or girls who apply.

So many falsehoods in this thread. Noone can doubt that Dunnottar's Headmistress had let the school getbto crisis point before approaching RGS.

No time limit was given , the momentum just needed to be positive but the school kept shrinking as girls wanted to leave for other schools - RGS being just one of the schools some girls decided they would rather be that Dunnottar.

A colleague told me that trustees can be liable if negligence is proven. This also applies to governors of state schools.

It will be a simple matter for the trustees to reconvien to assign the school back to Dunottar . This would be seen as the decent thing to do and will have cost RGS very little. It would also avoid the legal costs of representing itself. Rgs would not have to worry about what to do with the land.

It is worth noting that "negligence" here has a specific legal meaning, and will be in relation to the trustees legal and fiduciary duties. I will be interested to see what case the trustees have to answer. And even if the trustees/governors are held liable, they are usually insured for such liability. Their role is a voluntary one, and without such insurance few people would step up to the mark.

Dunottar Voice has a fairly steep mountain to climb, as not only does it need to produce a viable business plan and raise significant investment in the school so that it is a desirable destination school for children, but it then has to get the trustees, senior management team and existing parents to buy into it too.

If the aim was 40 per year that is 280 pupils, over half as many again as currently . How on earth did anyone think that was achievable , especially in the upper year groups when girls would be settled elsewhere,within 2 years let alone 1 . Realistically you'd need a Year7 intake of about 60 to balance the numbers short term and as I understand it there were less than 20 coming up from the junior.

Legaleagle

If RGS were to relinquish ownership and hand D back, how are D going to survive if they were about to shut down last year, and pupil numbers are now even lower.
I am not being flippant, this is a genuine question to which I would like to understand your reasoning.

We can go round in circles. Think of the children and the upset. Lots of girls are distraught. Ive seen it. We know what we need , thats obvious. How we get it may take a little time. We just need honesty to solve this problem. Unbelievable situation I thought I would never see in our town. Keep calm and carry on!

A very obvious question Luckypup22 and not at all flippant. When the 7 year fully costed, underwtitten plan Is endorsed by leading educational consultants it will be presented to the trustees .I expect it will be put in the public domain, you will then have your answer.

Just remember Dunottar needs to expand, RGS does not.

I wonder how much Dunottar parents and supporters were/ have been told about the state of things BEFORE they went to RGS. The situation was clearly very bad if there was a risk that the auditors would not have allowed the school to continue. It would be difficult to tell parents the full extent of that, without driving them to look for immediate alternatives, but perhaps that honesty would have been better.
The work DV are doing now, should have happened well before the point Dunottar went to RGS. Parents needed a chance to help look at alternative business plans BEFORE numbers reached crisis point. Now DV are faced with creating a plan and turning around a situation which is extremely difficult to turn round. I think that must be why RGS offered support in a very limited remit. They too could see that saving Dunottar would be very hard,miso never referred to that, simply giving them a year.

The reasons why the school numbers slipped over time and the reasons why parents weren't kept informed until crisis stage are the real things that need investigation, if blame must be sought. All of this goes back a long way and not just to the last year.

It's a lesson for anyone considering a small school in future. Ask about trends in numbers over time and finances. And don't be fobbed off. Lots of small schools are in a strong position, but knowing the one you want is, is important. People round here will be all the more aware of that in future. I might not have thought to ask these questions before all this, if I was looking to put a child in a private school, but I would now.

Well what fantastic news from DV , Supports rejoice, doubters will try and think of Something negative to say.

Choccywombat, can auditors close schools?

No, boards close schools.

Oh, is there good news. Glad to hear it. Do share.

Can't see anything radically different on their website

LIZS do you want Dunottar to close?

Not particularly , why ask that !? I'm just asking what the news is as I seem to be missing it if it is on that site.

It was a straight question, that's all.

What does the emoticon with the squiggly mouth mean?

I have just looked at the website too.
Interesting to see there may be support or interest from other educational groups, in keeping it going. I wonder how they use a questionnaire of local parents to judge if new people will out their money where their mouths are and commit.
Interesting to see too, recognition that the trustees were extremely anxious, when they approached RGS. And no blame being attributed to them. I think this new approach of looking to break a cycle of low numbers has to be the way forward in their attempts. Still not convinced a turnaround in numbers is possible though.....see previous comments about the risks involved in choosing Dunottar over alternatives.
How does the involvement of RGS and Dunottar being part of RGS group, with some of their governors affect if Dunottar can go with another education group? Are they free to do that? Dunottar DID choose to join the RGS group...are these things something which can be broken when they become inconvenient?
I guess whatever happens, Dunottar parents will know they have looked into all the options, which is good. If it turns out to be viable, great. If it doesn't, knowing it just wasn't viable on numbers, if scant comfort, gives explanation.....and that I assume it what parents really need.

= confused

Liz if you look it's there, it's not like one of those magic eye pictures. Just remove the good news filters from your glasses!

Seems to be an update that they spoken to 2 school operating companies (such as Cognita or Bellevue) as well as trying to put the 7 year plan together. The school groups are used to moving speedily which will be a mercy I guess.

In answer to the earlier question about whether auditors can close a school, whilst it is correct that they couldn't close the school, they are required to give their professional opinion as to whether the school is operating as a going concern. It would appear that it was this requirement which caused the trustees to turn to RGS for a letter of support last year. Presumably this years audit left a similar issue.

Legaleagle, that's sounding close to a personal attack? No idea how the website is updating but I couldn't see the page of today's updates when you first posted either.

I do hope for a good outcome for the remaining Dunottar parents.

ok I'm not sure how sarcasm will forward your cause but think I see the Progress now ! I wonder if any consideration has been given towards a fee increase as a way of funding some of the revenue shortfall , perhaps for the short term while recruitment is developed to a sustainable level, and a reduction once targets are met. After all there is a big difference between D fees and other local independent secondaries and might avoid disrupting the education of those already in the school. I've not looked at the questionnaire as it isn't aimed at my circumstances, but could be a q worth asking.

Lady M , I am really sorry it was not meant to be an attack just the injection of a little humour within a serious topic. If have caused offence I am sorry, none intended at all.