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?)

I have just moved into the area from overseas and have four boys all of which will be going to Dunottar. I have been privy to first hand information regarding the lead at RGS and the despicable handling of the situation surrounding Dunottar. RGS as a school has an exemplary record and the teachers are second to none, but having learnt what I have over the last few weeks no child of mine will set foot inside RGS grounds.

PP1 - that was uncalled for.

I also have a son and I totally agree with you. I'm absolutely delighted that he'll be joining his sister at Dunottar. (By the way, he's bright enough to be accepted at RGS and the point is I now have CHOICE!) I would much rather both my children are educated in an exceptional, moral, ethical school with excellent teachers and a nurturing environment.

Shocked at the comments coming out tonight. Sounds like the bitchy comments one might imagine coming from a load of teenage girls.

Is this what prospective parents want to hear from the existing parent body? DV would be horrified.

Exactly Urmel, the comimentary from PP1 is an example of the nastiness I was referring to

Who are you referring to chocolate wombat? Or am I missing something?

Thank you choc wombat, glad I am not the only one who sees the bitchiness. Awful just awful, I find it all very sad

Bo72, read the post from Suzy, totally unnecessary and rude, shows a lot of bitterness and just plain nasty

my 2p worth as someone who knew of both schools and knows children who go to both, but had no particular loyaltly or opinions or bias yet (younger kids) is that I am now more likely to consider D and slightly less likely to look at RGS. It's not a competition I know and there has been good and bad on both sides I am sure but i really don't think RGS have shown themselves in a very good light (judging only by what I've heard and on this thread).

Well Bo, if you read back over the last half hour or so.....and imagine you were new to this thread and topic, what would you think about what is being said and the way some of it is said. Have a look and try to see if from an outsiders view.

I am an RGS parent, I think that anyone having blind faith in anyone is naive. I think that unless people were present at all trustee meetings and I include the meetings where Dunottar decided to ask RGS for help, it is impossible to form a judgement as to what happened. I will watch with interest what happens next but it doesn't make me less comfortable that my DD is at RGS and certainly none of my friends with children at RGS feel differently.
I am pleased that Dunottar has a secure future, there is room for both schools as they are different and it's good the UL have stated that they will keep the ethos of Dunottar as it offers a choice to parents.

Forago, yes this is a very local thread isn't it, wonder what it says about Reigate, probably best not dwell on that for too long but at least it's bit different from the annual Trinity/Whitgift angst thread!

So we are all agreed that this is an open forum and any parent, from any school, can voice their opinion without judgement. That's good. I like that. By the way my name is Eva Simms and my first born was Tim and he was Tiny, hence the nick name.

Lucky pup, I have read it, thank you. Come on honey? It may be a little sarky, but, if what Suzy is saying turns out to be true, then OMG can you not see why these guys feel like this? They are talking about the board. Not the school. Not the pupils. Not the parents. The board, who, they seem to think, may possibly have been naughty? Lets wait and see if they are right? Anyway, I thought people were saying petal power was out of line? And I can't see that, can you? X

Just for the record: I appreciate that a school with happy children and dedicated parents survives! That's great news that hopefully everyone can agree on? As I understand it, nobody is forced to go to Dunottar or to RGS. People can make up their minds about one or the other or go outside Reigate. Up to them.

Sheldon, well said. Have always said there's a place for both schools, always was, always will be.

Wombat, agree to disagree? Some comments are a bit sarky in parts but again, I'm gonna reserve judgement til we see if these remarks turn out to be true.

Blind faith is always a bad thing. Question everything, no matter how much you love the thing you are questioning, yes?

Does anyone know why Mr Walker resigned from the board this week? It was the first thing I heard when I landed.

It's great that everyone has a different take on events but I just can't abide name calling, juvenile and inappropriate especially to a headmaster of an extremely successful school. No one ever gets ahead by berating the opposition, it just shows that you are weaker and I'm afraid that's how D parents and supporters have come across on this forum.

Really tinytin was it on the airport arrivals board - blimey this has spread outside Reigate! Sorry trying to add a bit of humour in a fraught time.

tim not tin

Never just Reigate - also talk of the town in other areas!

Lucky pup, it makes me uncomfortable when you generalise, I'm sorry. I mostly empathise with your comments, but to give the impression that all Dunottar parents say bad stuff is just not true. There's always some silly people and I can think of quite a few not from Dunottar. One in particular who is very angry. We really shouldn't tar all with same brush otherwise we would basically be saying all parents from both schools are horrid, which of course they are not :) x

No, absolutely agree that we should question everything. There are still lots of unknowns for Dunottars future, so I hope people will keep asking about the important things and pinning UL down on the detail. Knowledge is power....and to choose Dunottar, prospective parents need as many answers as they can get. Some things perhaps are now clear. Others will become clearer in the next few weeks, others will remain to be seen, in the years to come when Dunottar is fully mixed school, under the established leadership of UL.
Very best wishes for this next phase.

Urmel - yes it would have been uncalled for - it's quite a decent vintage...

Not quite on the arrivals board but it was certainly the first topic my au pair wanted to discuss. My husband and I both went to RGS and so did all our siblings so we know first hand what a truly wonderful school it is. The issue is not with RGS as a school but the leadership team. I am flying back tomorrow but hope to pop back into the conversation next week for an update Kindest Eva.

Chocolate wombat, I am an outsider. Are you an outsider? Can't remember? I know you've been very much present on this thread for a long time but I can't remember what your particular interest is? Parent of which school? Prospective? And I'm too lazy to go back thru the thread to refresh my memory! Perhaps you won't mind saving me that chore? :)