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Original poster

Dunottar/ Reigate Grammar - Merger, or what?

999 replies

quandry · 31/01/2013 20:56

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?)

OP posts:
legaleagle1 · 04/02/2014 19:59

Lizs I come very much from a commercial and industrial background. If it were up to me and thank God it's not, I would actually reduce the fees to attract a good number of pupils. That may sound daft but it would kickstart the school then it would gain momentum. Let's hope it all works out, especially for the sake of the girls.

Wills123 · 04/02/2014 20:07

I'm a bit confused (but I won't use the emoticon!). My understanding is that the current year 10s are guaranteed a place at Dunottar next year if the school closes and moves into RGS adminsitration. This is ethically the right thing to do and kudos to RGS. What I don't understand is that RGS are now phoning parents of Year 10 Dunottar students and asking them if they want to move to RGS ASAP to continue their GCSEs. Is this true? have I misinterpreted this? Why would they do this if they've been guaranteed places at Dunottar next year?

LIZS · 04/02/2014 20:18

but presumably they are assuming 280 based on current fee levels as their economic model . Fewer means the fee should be higher as overheads are the same whether they recruit or not, only if more enrol could they afford to be less. Anyone choosing to move will almost certainly have to pay more (unless RGS are offering to underwrite the difference or phase the increase).

LIZS · 04/02/2014 20:20

How can RGS access the details of current D pupils unless they have previously agreed to sharing. Data Protection ?

legaleagle1 · 04/02/2014 20:44

Willis if this is true it is very very serious. I hope it has not been happening in all year groups, it will be investigated.

If Dunottar is part of the RGS group, perhaps it is legitimate for them to have access to all data.

NikkiSurrey · 04/02/2014 21:04

Wills - a couple of thoughts:

  • have the girls definitely been guaranteed a place at Dunottar or wasn't the phrase something like'guaranteed to be supported until the completion of their exams'? If the school did end up closing (and I hope it doesn't) and numbers were very low, then there would come a point where it wouldn't make sense to keep a huge school open and staffed for just a handful of girls surely? Perhaps they were thinking they would be taught by ex-Dunottar teachers in RGS buildings or something? (NOTE: This is pure speculation on my part - not based on anything heard!)
On the issue of calling Year 10 parents, presumably these are parents who have already approached RGS about the possibility of transfer if the worst were to happen. In which case RGS would already have contact details for them as part of their 'application' process. It's a terribly difficult decision for the Year 10s, as I think a lot of the GCSE boards are different, so there would be some different syllabuses to catch up on, and obviously the later that is left, then the harder it becomes. In some cases girls have already done controlled asessments towards GCSE. I know a couple of families spent time at RGS looking at timetabling to check if their GCSE options were even technically possible!

I doubt very much that RGS is 'cold-calling' Year 10s with whom they haven't yet been in contact...

ChocolateWombat · 04/02/2014 21:04

The only way I can interpret the suggestion that Year 10s have been asked if they want to go to RGS, is that the decision to close Dunottar has been made and the way of honouring the promise to see the pupils through to the end of Year 11 is being met this way.
Bearing in mind the consultation is still running and nothing decided yet, this seems unlikely. What is the actual evidence of this?
It would be tricky to do this. Don't different schools follow different courses even in the same subject. How could the girls pick up a different course half way through? Is it possible.
Clarification sought please about if this is really happening as described. I'm not convinced this can be right unless the girls have themselves approached RGS, which again seems unlikely mid course.

ChocolateWombat · 04/02/2014 21:05

Sorry, Cross posted with NIkki who raised similar points.

Sheldonswhiteboard · 04/02/2014 21:40

It would seem a bit odd as quite a few of the subjects at RGS are IGSCE, all of Dunottar's are GSCE aren't they, so some subjects wouldn't be transferable?

legaleagle1 · 04/02/2014 22:05

Does anyone else think that this topic has been " done to death" . Nothing more to say until the relaunch of the new school.

redillredneck · 04/02/2014 22:27

the Dunottar Voice post is positive but inconclusive

It means that some companies or charities are interested but not committed. It doesn't mean that they are willing to put up any money required to launch a new school. Remember that the Governors said that Dunottar had approached partners like this before they went to RGS. The situations is now a lot worse than it was 18 months ago.

However, it is just possible that this could be a way of saving Dunottar Girls School, or do you think it will be a new co-ed school with the same ethos as the chain of schools?

This is certainly a night for optimism

LadyMuck · 04/02/2014 23:06

I think assuming it is going to be a relaunch is still rather optimistic.

I thought that the current consultation by the trustees is the one legally required in advance of redundancy. I appreciate that DV is looking for a different solution, but that is the legal consultation. DV has no legal power to compel the trustees to change from their current course of action. A "relaunch" is many steps away in whatever form is chosen.

In the meanwhile, Dunottar's future does impact the other schools in the area. As a parent I would obviously prefer for Dunottar to continue and thrive, but equally if closure is relatively imminent, then that is pertinent for those of us considering school offers in the next few weeks, especially if RGS is planning to rescue girls individually or en mass.

Forago · 05/02/2014 09:57

Re the fees question, I was one of the parents of primary aged children in a local area school who was asked to fill in the survey. There were questions about fees and how much you would be prepared to spend per child per term etc. Also about going co-ed.

I know families and girls at D and my heart goes out to them, this must be a very stressful time.

In my opinion, as a parent with children coming up to secondary age in the area, the only way it will survive in the medium term is if a) it becomes co-ed and b) it stays cheaper than RGC and Caterham. As these are the two things that will attract pupils in significant numbers, I think.

byebye1 · 05/02/2014 16:28

Going co-ed will definitely solve the problem. At the last open morning lots of parents with younger brothers said "how wonderful if would be if the brother could be at dunottar as well". Fees more or less around the £5k mark. I believe BHill is more expensive than RGS. With regard to the question is RGS phoning parents of year 10…. haven't heard anything to that effect unless a parent is on here in year 10 and can confirm. Lots of speculation which can be damaging. I thought year 10 girls were able to continue on regardless. Reading all the comments from DV seems very positive. Lets hope so.

byebye1 · 05/02/2014 17:13

Your right as well. IGCSE RGS GCSE dunottar. Have to think about this before you jump. Really difficult as all at different stages. 13th Dday. Long wait but it's nearly Friday and seeing Dunottar girls smiles is gorgeous.

LadyMuck · 05/02/2014 21:54

But is the 13th just the deadline for the employment consultation? Or is it when DV come up with initial proposal for the trustees?

Forago · 05/02/2014 21:56

The second, I believe

redillredneck · 05/02/2014 22:00

I asked about the year 10 thing at the careers fair last night at RGS.
They do not have any contact details for Dunnottar parents and have only spoken to parents who have approached RGS first to try to be helpful (as they would with any enquiry) but have not offered a single year 10 place to a Dunnottar girl (but have to a boy from another school).

Bellie · 05/02/2014 22:39

Lady muck. 13th march is the end of the consultation for deciding whether the school will continue or not. Dunottarvoice have to put proposal forward before then for the board to decide.

purrrrrfriends · 06/02/2014 00:19

Red that makes sense.

Seems ok.

Thanks.

byebye1 · 08/02/2014 09:13

BIG smile on my face this morning. Come on Dunottar you've got heaps of support out there and its showing from all corners….

purrrrrfriends · 08/02/2014 11:14

what news is there?

LIZS · 08/02/2014 18:17

No update on website or fb page Confused. I've been asked to the survey though .

byebye1 · 09/02/2014 09:01

Have a tear in my eye . We have raised just under the £40k mark from our fantastic auction night and everything else going on. Got to love our school. Its electric out there! Dunottar we LOVE YOU!! Feeling so proud.

shockedbunny · 09/02/2014 11:46

not been on here for a while, and i guess most things have moved on a pace since then.

byebye1 - you seem to be in the know - and you have raised a fantastic amount - is this for the legal challenge? I am unclear.

Have heard that there is now a plan from the parents group - if this is the case why the need for all this money? What will it be used for now if the plan is in place?

Have looked on Dunottarvoice but there is nothing as LIZS says. Have been asked to complete the survey, but not sure what it is going to be used for now if the plan has already been agreed.

It all seems very confusing and not coherent at all.