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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:
ChocolateWombat · 27/02/2014 18:40

Urmel, where does this information about resignation come from please?

LadyMuck · 27/02/2014 18:43

Less than an hour before a meeting with UL. I guess the meeting will be well attended. Anyone willing to do live updates?!

Urmel · 27/02/2014 18:56

I'm sure they have. Can you imagine the stress of being governor of a charity that depends on you making the right decisions for survival and that charity is a school which could close if you get it wrong?

soothsayer123 · 27/02/2014 18:59

Very well said Choc. I imagine it's been hugely time-consuming for the governors and all they get in return is criticism. I know I couldn't do it!

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 19:04

This does not surprise me at all . The whole thing seems to have been handled in such a shambolic way. Perhaps some clarity now and the conclusion of confusion!

ATrueBeliever · 27/02/2014 19:06

Wonder if he is resigning on the basis of legal advice. Any statement yet?

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 19:19

A TrueBeliever, I expect that could well be the case. I think that you will now see a swift resolution to this whole saga, hopefully by the end of the week.

Luckypup22 · 27/02/2014 19:20

Urmel, please answer the question, where does this information come from,do you hve inside knowledge. Is it even true, at this crucial time of decisions making without a chairman would be a disaster

ChocolateWombat · 27/02/2014 19:48

Sadly, I suspect there is no speedy resolution available. Realise parents want to know what is happening, but not an the expense of all proposals having been very carefully researched, so the best long term option is found.
Even when the final new partner emerges, some of the practical out workings of the arrangement won't be clear for quite sometime. For example, it will take a while to know how many boys may join, if some existing teachers are made redundant, who any new teachers will be, if there is a new Head. Other more 'ethos' based issues may take longer to emerge still....such as the real practical effect of an outside group on the Head, on the academic and other focuses of the school and the impact that being mixed will have. Although any group taking over can give as definite answers as they can about their intentions, until it is all up and running, the real feel and nature of it simply cannot be known.
I hope the basic details can be finalised and clarified soon, to help those growing through this drawn out roller coaster ride. However I don't think I would see 13 March as the end of uncertainty, just a slightly different phase of it I'm afraid. I'm sure DV and the Governors are doing what they can to minimise this and get as many questions as possible answered. The nitty gritty 'effects in practice' simply can't be answered until a new system is in place.

Sheldonswhiteboard · 27/02/2014 20:04

I can't see how there will be a swift resolution, if the chairman has resigned, still no official confirmation of that? A new chairman would need to be appointed and you still need to go through the proposal process, someone up thread said interested parties have until Friday to get bids in.Then bids need to be analysed and due diligence carried out on the preferred bidder. Even assuming that it is UL the due diligence will still take some time.

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 20:15

I suspect things have advanced much more than many of you realise. Some of the more enlightened people may well have anticipated the unravelling of the board and will have something in place. The probably will be progress tomorrow.

Sheldonswhiteboard · 27/02/2014 20:24

Is there an unravelling of the board though, so far we have unofficial news that the chairman has resigned, he doesn't constitute the whole board? The board also put out a note that said they had other interested parties and that they were advised they needed to consider them. So whether the chairman has gone or not that process still needs to be undertaken.

Sheldonswhiteboard · 27/02/2014 20:27

I understand that people want certainty but do they really want an important decision like this rushed through?

Petalpower1 · 27/02/2014 20:28

Wombat, we probably disagree on a lot of things, but RGS bowing out gracefully is the best for all concerned.

Petalpower1 · 27/02/2014 20:40

Luckypup22, the news about Alan Walker was apparently put out in an email to Dunottar Parents. As I understand it, he was the driving force behind the RGS takeover of Dunottar, and the subsequent decision to consult on its possible closure, so the dynamics of the whole process may now change, and quickly. But he remains the Chairman of RGS trustees.

As for what happens next, haven't got the faintest - if RGS are planning a dignified exit, presumably the other RGS nominees on the Dunottar Board will resign as well. That would leave the 3 original Dunottar trustees (and maybe some new ones) to decide on who they want to take over the school. If their choice involve a change of control from RGS, then the RGS Board would have to approve that, but the way things are going that would presumably not be a problem. Or I could be completely wrong - this saga has had more twists and turns than a very twisty turny thing.

ChocolateWombat · 27/02/2014 20:46

Yes, I agree there is a time for involvement to end. Ideally it will be when the school is handed over to new owners.
I think then, the RGS Governors can breathe a sigh of relief that their job is done. They will know they provided help to a struggling school when asked for it, and that interim help has given them time to find a way forward, rather than close in 2013. Perhaps in years to come, more people, who have been critical, will see it like that too and will know the role that both DV and the Governors have played in finding a workable solution. Just hope it won't be that if parents don't like it, they blame Guvernors, whilst if they do like it, only DV can be seen as responsible. In the end, probably doesn't matter.

No idea if Governors are pulling out now, or is some are. Imagine the whole thing has been very difficult a job for them too...possibly too difficult to find a solution which is acceptable to everyone?? Anyway, whether they continue until mid March, beyond or finish shortly, they see, to have worked hard to do the best they can.

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 20:49

I think you are more or less right PP1. Unravelling of the board may have happened already. As I said before there is a lag between what has happened and what appears here. The groundwork is probably all in place now for UL to take over the school. If the obstacles have been removed it will happen soon.

byebye1 · 27/02/2014 21:23

. I think parents first priority was making sure their children were okay in all this upset since Nov. not sure we had much time worrying about anyone else!

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 21:32

It's all about the children, a point often forgotten on this forum. Thank god there now can be and to all of this.

Bolligog · 27/02/2014 22:03

Really helpful & reassuring meeting with United Learning. Very well attended by current and prospective parents who were able to ask their questions. Feeling happy and informed :)

Batman111 · 27/02/2014 22:08

Let's hope all the nonsence has been dispelled and the way is clear to conclude the proceedings.

byebye1 · 28/02/2014 06:58

Thanks for update batman111.

soothsayer123 · 28/02/2014 07:57

Batman, it sounds like you're one of the 'core' members of DV. I assume by saying "the obstacles have been removed" you mean the governors. I do wonder why DV are so keen to jump into bed with UL without allowing the other offers on the table to be looked at fully.

Batman111 · 28/02/2014 08:20

Soothsayer deffinately not anything to do with DV just have long association with both schools, staff, managment and parents.

Sheldonswhiteboard · 28/02/2014 08:40

Even with a change of governors I assume there still needs to be consideration of other bids and then due diligence, you wouldn't expect to rush to a decision. I know for parents, children and staff this feels like it is taking ages but in reality it has been only a few weeks, why rush now to regret a hasty decision down the road.