News

18 Jun 02

Petition on Proposals to Improve Schools in Rossmore

Councillors at the Borough of Poole will receive a petition from Winchelsea parents at tonight’s meeting of full Council, following concerns raised by £5million proposals to improve school facilities in the Rossmore area.

A full programme of consultation is underway with parents, teachers and Governors following Government approval for the funding of the scheme.

Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "Unfortunately the petition gives the impression that there are proposals to close Winchelsea without replacing it with new and improved specialist accommodation which would provide a better future for these children. These proposals are not about closing schools but improving facilities for all the pupils in the area. Everyone has the best interests of the children at heart and agrees that they need better classrooms, teaching areas and specialised facilities. In order to meet all these needs, we are trying to develop plans which make the best use of the funding and we need the support of parents to ensure the scheme delivers crucial improvements for all the children in the area."

In response to parents concerns, formal consultation on the proposals to provide special learning centres for Winchelsea students at separate sites has been delayed to allow more time to discuss options with parents, teachers and the local community. During this time, comments from parents are being considered and more detailed proposals developed.

To provide more information, parents from Winchelsea will receive a regular newsletter and have the opportunity to discuss the proposals in more detail with staff as part of the regular individual review of each child’s education plan.

In addition a further meeting for Winchelsea parents is planned for July.

Cllr Clements, added: "We will be keeping parents fully informed and hope that by providing opportunities to discuss the proposals individually as well as at a public meeting we will be able to answer all their questions and any concerns they have."

See below for background information on the proposals.

Background

In April the Borough of Poole won Government approval for a loan of £3,205,570 to improve facilities for; Trinidad First School, Alderney Middle School; Winchelsea Special School and Rossmore Community College. Since April, the Council has been consulting with parents, schools, Governors and the local community on the best options for pupils in the area.

The current proposals are:

  • moving Trinidad First School from existing oversized and outdated accommodation to new accommodation on the Alderney Middle School site
  • providing a special learning centre for Winchelsea primary aged children on the Alderney School site
  • providing a special learning centre for Winchelsea secondary aged children on a secondary school site
  • replacing the current library on Herbert Avenue with a new learning resource centre at Rossmore Community College for use by the school and the local community
  • using currently surplus rooms to replace old technology areas at Rossmore Community College with newly refurbished technology facilities
  • introducing faster broadband internet connections for all Rossmore schools
  • incorporating Winchelsea’s playing fields so they become part of Alderney Middle school site
  • to help provide funding for the full £5million scheme, the proposals also include selling the sites at Trinidad First School and Winchelsea Special School

Why is this needed?

Currently, facilities at Winchelsea are not adequate and cannot cater fully for pupils needs, as highlighted by the last OfSTED inspection. In particular, specialist facilities are not available at the school and a number of classrooms are in temporary buildings.

Since 1999, to ensure pupils have full access to specialist equipment and teaching areas, pupils from years 8, 9, 10 and 11 are currently taking Science, Design Technology and Physical Education at Rossmore Community College. This is due to be extended in September 2002 when year 8 and 9 students will be able to use facilities at Alderney Middle School for up to 2 days a week. Whilst this provides for current pupils a longer term solution is needed which will meet the full curriculum needs of Winchelsea pupils.

What do the proposals mean?

Under the proposals, the current school site would be sold (excluding the playing fields) and Winchelsea pupils will have their own newly built and dedicated learning centres, one for pupils aged 4 to 12 at the Alderney Middle School site and one for pupils aged 12 to 16 at a secondary school site which is currently under negotiation.

Each learning centre will be a ‘school within a school’ and have:

  • its own purpose built buildings and classrooms
  • its own separate entrance/exit with access to accommodate arrangements for school transport
  • its own teaching and classroom staff
  • the same number of teachers and learning support assistants for each class
  • its own separate dining facilities for hot ‘family’ lunches
  • its own separate playground
  • an Assistant Headteacher who is responsible for the day to day running of the centre

Under the proposals the centres would continue to have their own separate time-tabled use of specialist facilities such as sports, science and design technology on the main school site.

Currently each student has an individual education plan which is agreed by parents and teachers. Under the proposals, these plans will continue and only if it is best for the pupil and agreed by the parents and teachers would opportunities for integrated activities for individual pupils be put in place - as happens now.

What happens next?

Formal consultation on the proposals for Trinidad First and Alderney Middle schools is underway. Notices have been posted in local libraries, schools and in the local press as part of the two month statutory consultation period. The closing date for responses and comments is 31 July.

Over the next few months, parents, schools and the local community will be involved in further informal consultation to develop proposals for Winchelsea. The two month statutory period is due to being in September.

Michelle Holland, Public Relations Manager, Tel. 01202 633029,

email: m.holland@poole.gov.uk

Michelle Holland, Public Relations Manager, Tel. 01202 633029

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