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?)

Hi NikkiSurrey: However it would make sense for the DV team to equally engage with all potential providers, and not just jump aboard the first shiny new bandwagon that happens to be passing.

DV invested a lot of time over three gruelling weeks sourcing and reviewing a wide range of potential routes for the school before naming its preferred option, and taking time to explain its thinking. I'm surprised that you didn't pick this up in your research.

The problem I have personally with the actions of the current board - and I'm sure they feel very stressed about the position that they are in - is that in the year that they were our board they could find no way to maintain the school. And yet they never reached out to us parents. And, I'm finding it pretty hard not to think that if I was on the board of a filing organisation I'd have given finding a solution a bit more of a go than they seem to have done. AIBU?

That's an interesting statement about conflicts of interest, it would appear that the charities commission authorised them? I'm not sure exactly what that means but it would appear that the charities commission were satisfied with the situation. It does somewhat call into question the "monstrous conflict of interest" statement that was originally reported on by the press.

I would assume that if the charities commission were satisfied with the conflict of interest that were declared up front, there is no legal wrong doings by the governors/trustees when RGS stepped in to help.

A friend of a Dunottar parent has just said the other proposed party from RGS side is called Radnor House, apparently their proposal is also being considered alongside the UL one, don't know anything about them? Does anyone on here?

not much apart from they are a co-ed in Twickenham.

Um, frying pan and fire anyone? www.radnorhouse.org Surely if a strong local school like RGS can't help, a new one that doesn't know the market would struggle?
Gets some nice support on a MN thread

not sure it's frying pan into fire. They currently run a co-ed school, from 7-18, so not that removed from what Dunottar wants now it appears to think Co-Ed is the way to go. I can't tell from their site whether they are a very selective school so may be used to running a non-hot house?

Interesting --> "Radnor House is the first start-up independent school in England to be funded by venture capital, with Albion Ventures investing £8.7 million in the new school and looking to remain a long term investor."

I wonder if they mean Radnor House itself or a venture capital funded school modelled on it but still under RGS group?

Venture capital companies tend to fairly short investment horizons, generally shorter than 10 years so I'd be interested in what they mean by being a long term investor.
Presumably the RGS Group could sell Dunottar to them as an investment for their funds.

eeeep! images or frying pans and fires!

"of" even

With these kind of school groups,I wonder what drives the direction of the school. What determines whether it becomes a hot house, or stays independent or closes down? I assume they hire a Head who will do what they want and who is answerable to them. There would certainly be a school in the immediate future, but how long is it guaranteed for and what kind of school? I should think the Qs raised about UL are exactly the same Qs which need asking of this organisation.

Can a VC project also exist as a charity ?

I don't think Radnor House is a charity.

Mama I do take your point about the last year, and the apparent lack of action, and lack of involvement of the parents. Did nothing happen even after what sounds like an alarm bells-raising speech at Speech Day?

After speech day the parents went ballistic, Bearleigh! Headteacher and Chairman were inundated with letters and calls of complaint. They held a series of meetings to calm the parents down and apologise for the upset. I couldn't go, but someone told me it was pretty conciliatory and 'we must club together and all do our part'. So people were not ok, but figured that there would be support. A couple of people offered themselves as parent-governors and there was a promise something would come of that. The marketing visibly improved, bigger exam group, basically there was a cautious 'we can do this' feeling. Right up until we got a note saying it was over.

So I've been poking about the net to find more about Radnor House.

First, I've not heard of someone with a venture capital fund spending £8.7 million to set up a charity... So we can guess they are in it to make money. That doesn't have to be a bad thing, by the way, as there are different ways of making money (running a great school with competitive fees could make money. and so could selling the building!) so I guess it depends on whether they are looking to turn a quick buck or build something that gives a good return. over time.

Second, it looks like a really great school. They have good Ofsted results and he fees are about comparable with the Reigate options.

Third, they are really new - 3 years - so while they've started well, it is hard to know how they will go over time. And they are only opening their sixth form this september - so untried there.

So. What I'd like to know is:

• is it the school or the vc fund that is eyeing up Dunottar?
• if the school, how would their top team be able to help D while also establishing RH's 6th form?
• are they doing that horrible thing we keep hearing 'asset stripping' or are they in for the long term?
• when will they talk to the parents? Someone pointed out to me that on Twitter it still says the board are looking at United thing and 'another option'. So they aren't even naming them publicly (tho they have to parents) ... that makes me uncomfortable. I'm sure it could be innocent, but when everyone's so fraught it seems like odd behaviour.

Are there any 'inner circle' DV types lurking who can tell us if there is a conversation with these people that us other parents can't see. I get that things are changing fast, so if the DV superstars are on it, I'm OK... just tell us guys because we need to know what's happening.

Hi Mama: I'm more 'stalls' than 'inner circle'! So I've asked a couple of people - they don't know anything about Radnor... Have also been googling, looks like an interesting school but I'm struggling to see how they can stack up against UL. One of the teachers was telling me that there was a real buzz in the staff room about the CPD and training they would get with UL... that is something Radnor couldn't match, so I doubt they'll be as supportive. So with the vc backing I'm concerned it's a deal for the building/land.
I've left a message for an inner circle chum as they may know more (um, hope so) and I'll get back to you.

Oh, and, meant to say- for me the great news of the last week is that the deadline for the board's decision has shifted from 13March to 24Feb to this weekend. Yay!
Half term is a key time for parents to make decisions about school options. To get an answer sooner will really help reduce stress levels all round too.
Thanks to DV for keeping the pressure to get a quicker decision. And hats off to the board for listening :)

tired, that's good in some ways - as you will get a quicker decision but I hope it means that the governors have enough time to consider all the options thoroughly. I guess if they have agreed to it, they are comfortable with the time frames. I suspect it means that they have been able to look at some of the proposals that the chairman alluded to that had come directly to them over the last few weeks and have either dismissed them or they are still on the table.

Yes, I guess the Governors feel they have enough info to make a decision then. They must have been aware of the need to reach a decision asap, but at the same time not rush. If they are able to do it now, then that is good. Of course, the schools are all now closed for half term, but perhaps their office staff continue to work through the holidays, so people will be able to get in touch with other schools if that is what they need to do.

No doubt, whatever is decided wont please everyone. I hope the communication is clear and also that those with girls at Dunottar can then see a clear way forward for their individual girls,even if its not what they might have imagined a few months ago. I really hope whatever is decided is explained very very clearly and people ask any questions which are needed. Don't want the communication issues of the last few years, however well intended.

I've been reading this thread for a while, because I've got primary school children in Reigate. I have to say it has really put me off RGS. I know it's the Governors not the school, but I just don't like the attitude. I certainly would think twice about sending my boys there now. I thought the UL group looked great - very nice ethos that would really appeal to me. Now there's Radnor House who are backed by venture capitalists apparently. Can't see how that works with what I've heard of the Dunottar ethos. Anyway they need to hurry up because my friends with Yr 6s are making their school decisions as we speak.

What was going on on mumsnet last nite? Couldn't get on last nite! So sounds like mixed thoughts on Radnor House. I've had a little look, it would be nice to understand who will be the on the ground team running Dunottar, I think I would feel reassured to hear its a new dedicated team rather than their present team who sound pretty busy setting up their new 6th form?

Hi I have just posted on Mumsters thread re Radnor House. I have been watching it with interest ever since it was established and I see absolutely no reason to believe they are not in this with the motive of providing the finance and strategic advice to enable the professionals to run a school that will thrive as they have at Radnor House. They have built up a good reputation in a relatively short time, lots of pleased parents, and to do anything else elsewhere would damage that brand.