View Full Version : School Closure
Haydon 23-02-2005, 12:59 PM Please sign our online petition (http://www.savesphschool.co.uk/petition.php).
My two step children go to a small RC Primary School called St Philip Howard. The Governors in their infinite wisdom have proposed the school should close.
They are basically saying that it will cost too much money to repair the building and the Church doesn't seem prepared to put their hands in their pockets... nor the LEA.
Based on the latest SATs results, the school is the top primary school in Herne Bay... yet they still seem intent on closing it and transferring all the pupils to other schools in the area. Aside from the obvious upheaval to the childrens education, all the other schools have worse results, larger class sizes and aren't Roman Catholic.I do not believe the Governors have looked properly at how to save the school. If you are interested in reading my views on their decision see this web page (http://www.savesphschool.co.uk/myviews.shtml).
Tomorrow evening sees the first Public Consultation where the general public can have their say on the proposed closure. Hopefully it won't turn into a riot, as passion is running high amongst many of the parents.
Some of you may have seen and even clicked on the link in my signature. I created a website for the Parents Action Group to try and prevent closure. Please can I ask you to sign my online petition. I know many of you aren't local and don't know the school in question but please consider whether you think this is right.
You don't have to leave your email address - just your name.
You don't have to put any comment/text in - just put a full stop (.) in the box.
Petition is here (http://www.savesphschool.co.uk/petition.php)
Thanks.
Becks 23-02-2005, 02:17 PM How many children are at the school?
I went to lots of different schools. The best was the smallest one, it had a juniors class and an infants and still had the slam shut desks. I am on a teaching course now and I realise just what a good education that school gave me, especially looking at the others.
Local schools are so important, especially faith schools and area sadly neglected in alot of childrens education.
The old school I am doing my placement in is going to be demolished to make way for a new school. Its such a shame as its been a school for the past 100 years and is proably a much stronger building compared to what they are building now. I also think its important in giving a sence of history to children, a link to their past. The world is so fast now and to temporary.
Haydon 23-02-2005, 05:39 PM Well there were about 180 children at the school before they sent a letter out saying that the Governors had proposed the school should close. The parents knew nothing about this until we received that letter. Came as a real shock. Some parents decided to take their children out when they heard it might close, so now there are about 150.
Becks you're right about giving children a sence of history. Parts of the school are over 100 years old. It used to be a convent. If it were to go they will build yet more houses/apartments on the land.... the land is worth a fortune.
There are so few schools that actually teach children good morale values it would be such a shame to see this school close. I'm not Roman Catholic but I feel the education the children are getting is second to none in the area. Smaller schools are soo much better.
P.S. - Is anyone experiencing problems with the size of the text on the school website?
Well there were about 180 children at the school before they sent a letter out saying that the Governors had proposed the school should close. The parents knew nothing about this until we received that letter. Came as a real shock. Some parents decided to take their children out when they heard it might close, so now there are about 150.
Becks you're right about giving children a sence of history. Parts of the school are over 100 years old. It used to be a convent. If it were to go they will build yet more houses/apartments on the land.... the land is worth a fortune.
There are so few schools that actually teach children good morale values it would be such a shame to see this school close. I'm not Roman Catholic but I feel the education the children are getting is second to none in the area. Smaller schools are soo much better.
P.S. - Is anyone experiencing problems with the size of the text on the school website?
Yep...sent you an email buggerluggs.
Haydon 23-02-2005, 06:25 PM lol I know you can't read the text - I was wondering if anyone else was having problems.
I've replied to your email. :)
It looks ok to me, Boss :D
It looks ok to me, Boss :D
I've just been back and checked...it fills the screen and the index's are ok, the pictures and logo's are fine and clear but the main script is too small to read.
:shocking:
Cockney 23-02-2005, 06:43 PM I signed it
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_11.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm22755GB)
Haydon 23-02-2005, 07:00 PM Great - thanks Cockney.... and thanks to everyone else that has signed it so far.
Cat - it's just your computer!
Great - thanks Cockney.... and thanks to everyone else that has signed it so far.
Cat - it's just your computer!
Oh Yeah...get personal why don't you :sad:
Snowfall 24-02-2005, 07:30 AM Perhaps you should know that in many cases like this a petition is viewed as one protest regardless of the number of signatures.
You may do better to provide a form letter that people can print, sign and return individually.
Perhaps you should know that in many cases like this a petition is viewed as one protest regardless of the number of signatures.
You may do better to provide a form letter that people can print, sign and return individually.
Snowfall, where have you been hiding!?
Haydon, how did the meeting go?
Becks 02-03-2005, 02:19 PM This country really seems to be going to the dogs - anything sensible and we try and get rid of it.
Haydon 02-03-2005, 03:54 PM Cat - thanks for asking. The meeting went fairly well. As well as parents there was a local councillor who supported us. Some ex governors, old pupils. the local Chamber of Commerce and some local businessmen said they were willing to donate money.
The Diocese came across very badly and it was apparent that the state of the building was down to them. There is one chink of light and that is DfES funding is open again - but not for very long.
It's now going to be down to how many people fill in the Public Consultation document and what they say. I have put a copy on the site for download. Anyone can fill it it - so please have your say!
Snowfall - thanks for the advice.
Becks -unfortunately I think you could be right.
Haydon 13-09-2005, 03:45 PM Some of you may remember this thread.
I have some great news... we have stopped the school from closing!
Basically, to cut a long story short a couple of parents who wanted the school to remain open have managed to get onto the board of governors. They have persuaded a couple of the other governors that, with help, the school can continue. This, combined with a new head teacher have swung the votes our way!
Bella 13-09-2005, 03:59 PM Woo-woo! Well Done Haydon, must be a huge weight of your shoulders! Best of luck with the continued success of the school! :thumbsup:
mazwad 13-09-2005, 04:28 PM That is good news Haydon sometimes persistence pays off well done to all.
Some of you may remember this thread.
I have some great news... we have stopped the school from closing!
Basically, to cut a long story short a couple of parents who wanted the school to remain open have managed to get onto the board of governors. They have persuaded a couple of the other governors that, with help, the school can continue. This, combined with a new head teacher have swung the votes our way!
Excellent News H - it just goes to show the weight of parents and their opinions - well done to all who have acheived this. I bet there is a great feeling of acheivement?? Wonderful!!:thumbsup:
Some of you may remember this thread.
I have some great news... we have stopped the school from closing!
Basically, to cut a long story short a couple of parents who wanted the school to remain open have managed to get onto the board of governors. They have persuaded a couple of the other governors that, with help, the school can continue. This, combined with a new head teacher have swung the votes our way!
What fantastic news H :D
Well done to all those the campaigned to keep the school from closing :thumbsup:
msgirl 13-09-2005, 07:07 PM Great news Haydon...always fight the good fight!! Sometimes it takes a posse of mad people to bring to light the stupidity of others!! Way to go. :smartie:
Voice of reason 13-09-2005, 09:00 PM That's brilliant news H :)
It's great to think that people can change what seems unchangable just by standing together.
Andrea 13-09-2005, 09:18 PM Yay, great news Haydon.
It is cool to think that the beaurocracy don't get away with everything.
Tigereye 14-09-2005, 03:50 PM way to go Haydon - RESULT!! :thumbsup:
bridge 14-09-2005, 04:06 PM that is such great news Haydon well done !!!!! :hug:
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