ACG Meeting March 5th 2008
Questions to Councillor Maria Gatland
Q. Paul Roberts – Coulsdon C of E Primary
Will combining children’s services help with the underlying problems in schools?
A.The key is early intervention and involving different agencies to give support to the children and their families. The Children’s centres will be useful for this.
Q. Tim St. John’s Primary
With regard to the consultation on Secondary Reform, how long will the consultation process take? Hopefully it will not be during the school holiday.
A.The time span will be set by the government but I take on board your comments and it will ensure that it will not be in the holidays.
Q. Ian Brown – Archbishop Tenison's CE School
Please would you outline the remit for the Secondary School Review and how does it fit in with the Building Schools for the Future?
A.There will be £350 million for Secondary Schools in Building Schools for the Future. This money will replace about 50% and refit about 30%. The Schools Review will see how it can help underachieving schools. There is a problem with falling numbers which needs to be taken into account. Some schools will be expanded and there are discussions already about possible sites. Some schools may be amalgamated and some may become academies. Primaries will also be considered in these plans. All secondary schools will cater for 11-19. 40% of all 16 year olds leave the borough for further education. We need to drive up standards in all schools.
Q. Richard Hill –
There was a secondary school review under the last administration but then consultation took place before the proposals were made. This time it will be the other way round. In our experience this means that the consultation will have no effect on the proposals.
A.I agree that governors should be involved but the discussions need to be contained. Governors will be fully consulted.
Q. Margaret James – Tunstall
Will the Review consider the curriculum as well.
A.It will, further down the line. For now it will just cover the configuration of schools. Our children do need inspiring curriculums.
Q. Lesley Stout –
Primaries – Bid by 14th June
Will there be consultation with Governors?
A.We don’t want to exclude Governors and want to be transparent but some discussions with schools are sensitive.
Q. Clive Lock - Gresham Primary School
Is there communication with the planning department concerning residential and commercial developments that affect school places.
A.This is very important for predicting pupil numbers. The GLA publications have been very useful and accurate for this. There may be more primary places needed after 2011 in some areas of Croydon.
Q. Are you saying that education will be for all children up to 19?
A. This is the governments hope. It is probably too optimistic. There will need to be a very engaging curriculum. It would be hard to know what to do with young people that did not attend.
Q. Will there be facilities for apprenticeships and diplomas?
A. This is what thinking is taking place. There will be such courses in Croydon such as that at
Q. John Philips – Coloma High School
We are turning away lots of pupils and parents are unhappy. How can we make more parents happy?
A.Successful schools will be expanding and the Department of Education will be having such discussions with these schools.
Q. Will that include Archbishop Tenison's High School.
A. Yes, all successful schools.
Q. Richard Hill
The local authority has a duty in social cohesion. How will Croydon fulfil this duty to help schools? What funds are available? Some authorities seem to have funds for this.
A.Some authorities do have funds but Croydon does not. Croydon had a disgraceful funding settlement this year, less than other London Boroughs but has the same problems. The department has done a good job with its finances and has secured the funding for educaton.
Q. Shirley High School
We are oversubscribed too but we can never expand to cope with the increases in curriculum. Also, what impact will schools covering 11-19 have on
A. Schools need to be fit for purpose but that constantly changes. A large team is working on the review with colleges.
Q. Some pupils travel from one side of the borough to the other.
A. I would like to see local schools for local pupils. Travelling across borough is often to fill vacant places. We need more good schools which is what we are looking at with the review.
Q. What are the differences between amalgamation and Federations and Academies.
A. Federation, is between separate schools, amalgamation is a merging.
Q. There will be a problem finding governors.
A .It is a very responsible job. Be positive, it may revitalise governors!
Q. Alan Elliot –
Federations are not a new idea.
Croydon has a large number permanently excluded. What strategies will there be to cope with this?
A. An important question. Croydon has the highest exclusions in the country. Strategies for managing behaviour have been delegated to schools, last year, but there are problems with funding. There will be a £0.5 million package to fund consultants to help manage behaviour in school. This will include Primary Schools. The
Q. It is hard to get support from, for example, Educational Psychologists.
A. This is a major problem but there is not enough funding. It is up to schools to find ways to cover this is they require it.
Q. Pat Keating – Monks Orchard Primary School
There is a problem with recruitment and retention of teachers, particularly Heads many of whom will be retiring over the next few years.
A.This is a problem throughout
Q. 1000 new homes are planned in the
A.I am not aware of that.
Q. With the departure of the present Director in May, will there be a change of policy?
A. No.