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?)

Thanks Angellina ( hopefully you're still reading!)

I'm sure all the teachers will want to keep their jobs, but I meant that UL might not keep them all - or at least might want to replace any that don't fit the new management style? I think it's quite normal for a new head or board to evaluate all teaching styles and retrain/ develop.
From what I've read, UL have a very 'business-like' approach with things like motivational/ leadership styles, 360 degree feedback etc.
Some teachers will see this as an advantage of course, but some may be of the 'but we've always done it like this' mindset. Only time will tell!

Is that really true that there is no expansion allowed - has that ever been formerly discussed and confirmed? I would have thought the new owners would want/ need to expand? Listed building status doesn't always mean you can't develop - just that it has to be done in a certain way/ pre- approved?
There will need to be a fair amount of alteration anyway to accommodate toilets/ changing rooms etc for all those loud, sweaty boys

Grade 2 historic listed building (DOE) There are existing plans for a new D&T suit and drama studio. This build was to follow that of the new sports hall which is about 9 years old now. The 2 temporary class rooms would then be removed, that was the plan in better times.

Quandry: this really, really, really is my last post! Of course you're right - there may be changes and we won't know what they'll be until the deal's done and dusted. One thing's for sure though, there'll be a few open mornings coming up! Why not visit the school? I'm sure they'll be in a better place to answer your questions at that point.

I think we all have to accept change , businesses are taken over all the time . It won't please everyone but that really is a personal thing. You have to do what you have to do. Most parents and teachers I've spoken to are pretty relaxed about it. Kids most definitely! As long as this school doesn't close couldn't be fussed either way. For me and the girls, really exciting times ahead. After all what are the alternatives... Nothing for us, so it has to work . We openly talk about maybe different staff, head, boys you name it. I tell my kids everything. They really are just getting down to business and carrying on as best they can. Very mature attitude! Seems old news now lol!

What a great attitude byebye1. It will be a very desirable school. The only problem I see is that it could soon be over subscribed. 420 is about the maximum for the building but what a splended position to be in.

Aww thanks batman 111. Very best of luck to you whoever you are !

And to you too Byebye1

I'm a bit confused by all this - from looking at the comments on here and on the Dunottar page it's all being talked about as if it's a 'done deal' and UL are definitely taking over.

However my understanding is that at the moment they are just the 'first choice' partner and the parent team/governors will now enter into a period of due diligence, which will inevitably take a while, and could well run into problems if there are terms that either party are unhappy to negotiate on?

However the letter from the governors last week says that should it not prove possible to conclude agreement with United Learning, there are other proposals which would also allow Dunottar School to remain open, so I guess the good news is that it's staying open WHOEVER ends up taking it over?

I had the same thought as you, Confused - couldn't see why everyone was talking it about it as if UL were moving in tomorrow LOL!

I can see that the DV team are really keen to paint a picture of forthcoming stability and longevity, rather than admit that there is still a further period of uncertainty over ownership, especially at this time when people are making important decisions about school places.

As you say, the good thing is that the governors have committed to keeping it open - either with UL, or one of the other options, which is what people want.

I heard today that Dunottar is actively contacting families who have left in the last few months inviting them to come back, and implying that they might be able to 'help them' with any fees/costs they have incurred as a result of moving? Sounds a bit like poaching! My neighbours daughter left this year, but she says she's not going back as there is still a lot of uncertainty/change, and her daughter has really settled in her new school and doesn't want to move again.

I am sure that any difficult "sticking" points would have been thrashed out before the announcement . If you had the chance to listen to the radio broadcast this afternoon it would have left you with a very positive message about the school's future. The talks going on now are about detail and formalities. This really is a great success story.

They need to be careful with contacting ex-parents, if the children have left the school there is no need under the Data Protection Act for them still to have contact and personal details of those families. They may be breaching the Act.

I don't think they need to told to be careful, they have the advice of a distinguished QC.

I would be very surprised if they have asked a QC for their opinion on whether they are breaching the Data Protection Act, they could look it up for free on the ICO's website! It could be that the contracts they held with parents allow them to use the data for a specified time in the future, but that would be an unusual term in a contract. Generally when you have no need to hold personal data on an individual you need to destroy it or anonymise it so the individual cannot be identified.

Anyway I guess it is hearsay as to whether they are actually contacting ex-parents, I would find it odd that they would stump up for costs and I doubt they would want the reputation of poaching!
I would imagine that the interest of UL has generated quite a few new enquiries anyway, particularly if they are going with their plans for co-ed.
What station was the radio broadcast?

It's great that many people on here are feeling positive. It does look like Dunottar will continue in some form or other now. Fantastic achievement by DV and Governors.
People will continue to ask questions though, until everything is clear and the details are not clear or finalised yet and the reality if new Dunottar will not emerge for months. It does seem rather a leap for people to be talking of Dunottar having the problem of being oversubscribed very quickly. I don't want to diminish the achievement of DV, but a sense of reality is still needed. Dunottar currently has very small numbers. People may still choose to leave because there can be no certainty at this stage about exactly what the new Dunottar will be like. Even in September or in a year, it won't really be clear what Dunottar will become because the new leadership of UL, the presence of boys and probably some new staff too, will all take months to make their presence and the implications of their presence clear. Some may still prefer to leave, to go somewhere where they are more sure of what they will be getting, rather than more flux.

So, I would hope that in the longer term, Dunottar will recover its numbers, but in the short to medium term, existing, but particularly prospective parents might continue to be a little cautious in light of all this unknown aspect of the school. We don't really know what the school will be like in say, 2 years time. Not sure that is a situation to bring about a waiting list very rapidly.

I can see there are people who are just glad Dunottar is surviving. They would support it in any form at all, such is their loyalty. Many more people however will reserve judgement and committing for a while. If UL are prepared to bankroll the school through this period of low numbers, which will hopefully not last too long, then remaining tiny for a while should not be a problem. However, it seems a little silly to paint a picture of Dunottar bursting at the seams just yet.

I think there are signs for cautious optimism and you cannot blame those closest to the situation for being so enthusiastic about the situation with UL. If they are going to guarantee the school for 10 years that gives it plenty of opportunity to build back up.
I'm not in the market for a school place at the moment but would certainly like the additional choice in a few years as my DD's sixth form years come hurtling along!

Yes, I agree. I said upthread, that I'm not in the market for secondary education at the moment. If I were, I would look at Dunottar, but think the uncertainty would put me off at the moment. I might be in the market in a few years time and would certainly expect to look at Dunottar then and by then, things will be clearer and more established. Good luck to them in this new phase.

Wombat you seem to find it difficult to accept the fact that what has happened is amazing. Dunottar parents are decerning people which is why they chose the school in the first place. I think that you will agree that the parents have proved themselves in what they have achieved in this remarkable "turnaround". These very parents will have a strong influence as to how the school develops. You should be pleased that Dunottar will provide a compelling alternative to RGS.

Absolutely. It is amazing and something those involved in will always remember, I should think.
I'm sure you are right and that they will be given a voice in how things develop in the coming months and that once it is up and running in its new format, that parents will continue to have some kind of voice, as they do in all schools. Parents are after all customers and ignoring what they and prospective parents want is dangerous. There are other voices too of course.
Anyway, maybe I will be there as one of those parents in a few years.

OMG - the same old 2 or 3 posters on here, all gloom and doom. The achievement by DV is awesome. They managed to do in 4 weeks what hadn't been attempted in the previous year, but hey perhaps that speaks volumes about the background to all of this. Parent Action Groups don't work? This one did. Whether or not parents choose to leave their daughters at D or prospective parents want to choose D for the next stage of their child's education remains to be seen but what is for sure is that this was a school that should never have been in the situation it found itself - it wasn't failing educationally or financially and for those reasons alone DV need to shout out loud, they did and someone saw the truth behind all of this. Even if you aren't 'in the market' for senior education just yet - go along to D on one of the forthcoming open days and then feel free to post.

There was an update from the parents DV group today in the form of an interview with susy radio. ive copied the link for you to listen to as in my opinion it explains exactly what stage they are at with united learning, should be helpful to those of you who seem unsure on here. ive watched this story from the start and i have nothing but admiration for them. here is the link : t.co/13OmlK4Ri4 :)

Well said 'why the negativity', my thoughts exactly. Some people just seem to enjoy playing devils advocate. Let the awesome DV have their very well deserved moment. Because of them, you have choice once again. So you can choose for your children not to go there if they don't ultimately meet your criteria. What a great position for would be prospective parents to be in.

You may well ask why the negativity. Well said Bo72. I think what has happened has stunned the opposition! Once the formalities are concluded I expect there will be a lot of national coversge, Panorama perhaps!

thanks for the radio link, will go and have a listen.

I don't think my post was negative? It's just that as someone else said, it seems a little silly to be talking about Dunnottar being over-subscribed just yet!
It does seem that there are a few posters on this thread who seem to automatically shoot down anyone who disagrees with them? Bit silly and over sensitive.
I listened to the radio broadcast, and the Dad who spoke was very eloquent, but it's clear that there isn't really any clarity yet about what the future will look like (which isn't at all surprising, given the time scales).
It does feel to me that they have rushed through this announcement to try to catch those parents who are looking at places for Sept 2014?
It's tricky though, because I think anyone who isn't currently in the school would be brave to commit to it at this stage, until more information is available?
Anyway, not relevant for my current situation, so will just be interested to see what happens.

Chocolate wombat, perhaps you need to remind yourself of the mumsnet rules! You quite obviously have a hidden agenda in this debate and are desperately trying to defend RGS and quash any positivity about Dunottar. Perhaps it's time to call it a day and admit defeat in this discussion. There is no stopping Dunottar now, it will grow on its strengths quickly. Hopefully in the future you won't be in the market for a school like Dunottar because I don't think your 'type' will fit.