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Saving a Small SchoolDavid Coulbeck
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My background
Step grandparent to 2 pupils at a small local primaryschool under threat of closure
Chair of GLASS Gillas Lane Action to Support School
Retired local government manager 28 years indifferent authorities
(My wife has over 30 years public sector experiencealso)
Some (little) experience of education
Extensive knowledge of how local authorities work I have the time and the inclination. Most parents
dont
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Gillas Lane Primary School
Located in Houghton-le-
Spring
City of Sunderland Council
Maintained school notrust or faith status
Approx. 120 pupils
In recognised area of
deprivation Major social upheaval
within the last 20 years
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Gillas Lane Primary Issues
Surplus places problem 220 capacity, only
120 approx pupils
Caused by large scale demolition by Council ofcouncil estate in cachement area 400+
houses demolished
Older buildings 1960s / 70s higher than
average maintenance costs
Ripe for review by Sunderland City Council
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However.
GL well supported by parents and localcommunity
Pupils like it, feel safe
Ofsted inspection November 2008 - Goodwith some Outstanding areas
Good attainment levels despite slightly higher
than average SEN population Head Teacher and Teaching staff well
respected
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Parental Choice
Many parents chose Gillas Lane because: It is a small school
It has a family-oriented ethos and environment
The teachers know the names of all the children
The pupils feel it is an extension of the family Behaviour is good - no bullying problems
More pupils live nearer Bernard Gilpin Primary School (65%)but choose to go to GL
The teachers like working there
The standards are better at Gillas Lane than neighbouringschools
Pupils from Gillas Lane are well prepared when they move tothe local secondary school
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School Place Planning Review
Sunderland City Council
Consulted with parents in Oct. 2008 and Feb2009
Options:
1. Close GL and send pupils to a nearby largerschool,Bernard Gilpin
2. Amalgamate GL and BG schools on BG site3. Take action at both schools to reduce surplus
places and budgets leaving 2 sustainable schools
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School Comparison
Gillas Lane
120 pupils, max 210
Good Ofsted (some
Outstanding) Attainment good
SEN provision good
Buildings dated and needsome refurbishment
Nursery Unit attached Kitchen on site
Traditional classroom layout
No school entrance issues
Bernard Gilpin
Pupils 260, max 350
Satisfactory Ofsted (some Good)
Attainment satisfactory / good
SEN provision satisfactory Buildings relatively new, lower
maintenance
No nursery provision on site
No kitchen on site
Open plan type classroom layout,smaller size rooms
School Entrance issues dangerousroads around BG and Houghton Nursery
750,000+ needed for school extensionto cater for GL children
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Entrance Issues
Bernard Gilpin Houghton Nursery
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Consultation
In summary: Tick Box exercise
Sunderland City Council already had a preferred option closureof GL and send pupils to BG
Parents and pupils views ignored throughout the process
Felt that closing GL was seen as an easy option that would solvethe problems at BG
GL treated differently to other schools with similar problems
Little or no dialogue and explanation
Dubious statistics and assertions presented as fact Mistakes and omissions in reports
Parents were appalled by the way they were treated
Council not expecting anyresistance..but..
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Resistance..
Action Group formed
GLASS
Gillas Lane Action to SupportSchool
8 local parents and carersincluding 2 (now 3) parentgovernors
Supported by 2 localindependent ward councillors
Liaising with Head Teacher andBoard of Governors
Recognising conflict ofinterests
Taking independent action
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Action Group Strategy
Challenge the council at alllevels
Put pressure on the officersand councillors
Galvanise public supportand response
Use the law and thecouncils own policies to
challenge the councils case Be prepared for a long fight
IT IS A MARATHON NOT ASPRINT!
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Tactics
Council policies andstrategies contrary actions
Formal Complaints 5about consultation LGO
(crucial in the final analysis)
Calling In Cabinetdecisions scrutiny
Newsletter for parents
distributed by school veryimportant
Ensuring bums on seats atpublic meetings
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Tactics (cont.)
Co-ordinating responses toconsultation parent governors
Letters to Head of ChildrensServices and Cabinet Members
Research pupil forecasts, housebuilding forecasts, birth rateforecasts, government policy etc.
Challenging reports andstatements in detail
Lobbying MP, DCSF,Ministers
by letter and email Petitions Local (1100+),
Facebook (300+),No. 10 ePetition(200+)
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Tactics (cont.)
Web site www.savegillaslaneschool.info
GLASS Survey of
parents views evidence forauthoritative GLASSreport as part ofconsultation
GLASS initiated thepupils survey
And..
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Public Relations
Local Evening paper all articles positive andsupportive
BBC Look North pieceon Gillas Lane closurethreat
Protest Picnic led to
face-to-face discussionswith members andofficers
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Protest Picnic
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Protest Picnic
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Protest Picnic
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Public Relations (cont.)
Save Gillas Lane Schoolbanners, badges, mugs,business cards andprotest flowers, T shirts
Attended a relatedcouncil / public event -high profile presence
Presence at Full CouncilMeetings T shirt
Questions, statements atFull Council independent councillors
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Timescale
Oct 2008 First Parents Consultation Meeting
Feb 2009 Second Parents Consultation Meeting
April 2009 Cabinet decision closure proposal (10seconds)
May/ June 2009 6 week Statutory Representation Period July 2009 SOC Meeting (just before the summer break!)
September 2009 Referral to Schools Adjudicator
November 2009 - Schools Adjudicator Visit and Public
Meeting Jan 2010 Final report from Schools Adjudicator with
rejection of the councils closure proposal
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SOC Meeting, July 2009
No right of appeal from the outset
Venue changed to our locality after GLASSpressure important
Church Hall avoided inappropriate behaviour
5 members of SCC Cabinet + 6 officers
Report 400+ pages long
8 presenters against the proposal to close theschool
50-60 audience parents, carers and teachers
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SOC Meeting (cont.)
Case for the closure officers
Case against 8 presentations which included newinformation, a new option involving Houghton Nursery,challenges to many aspects of the report (pupil
forecasts, financial info, adequacy of consultation etc.) Questions and Responses
Leader of Council summed up
Defer decision until LGO had reported back on 5
outstanding formal complaints! (Outside statutory period therefore passed to The
Schools Adjudicator)!
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Schools Adjudicator Report
Fair and Unbiased assessment, No Hidden Agenda, assesses against theStatutory Guidance for Closure
Conclusion
36. There are two key issues - those ofsurplus places and ofeducational standards - which above allothers need to present a more or less clear and convincing picture in circumstances such as those of GillasLane primary school, if a proposal for closure is to be well founded.
37. In my view, neither factor meets that test in this case. There is doubt over the long termappropriateness of a closure when looking at very local schools, and alternative means are available forreducing surplus places in the short term which have yet to be fully explored by the Council. I am notconvinced that the proposal would in practice contribute to the raising of local standards, comparedwith retention of the school and the pursuit of those other means.
38. In addition,I do have misgivings about the quality of the consultation process,as outlined above.These have added to my sense that the proposal is lacking in merit overall.I am not convinced that thereis a compelling need for closure in order to address the issue of surplus places, in the context of thecurrent performance of the school and that which can reasonably be expected in the future, given thealternatives that could be pursued. I therefore reject the proposal of the Council to cease to maintainGillas Lane Primary school on 31 August 2012.
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Victory Cake!
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Key Success Factors
Detailed analysis of the Statutory Guidance on school closure highlights strengths and weaknesses of councils arguments (andyours!)
Portfolio of evidence letters, emails, reports, decisions, timelines etc.all filed and organised
Prepare for all eventualities look at from all angles Support of the majority of the parents
Committed Action Group organisation, planning and execution
Treat it as a fight the council has a different agenda to you as parents
Make it uncomfortable for the Council work on its weaknesses
Knowledge ofyour local council use its systems to further yourcampaign knowing which buttons to press
Access to an appeal body The Schools Adjudicator in England
Tenacity, patience, hard work and (some) luck
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After the Euphoria
School still had to deal with the surplus places
and budgets issues
1 Classroom taken out of teaching use
Reduction of teaching staff
Reduction of the PAN
Mixed year groups
Gillas Lane Primary is open for business as
the parents and the local community wanted.
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Sharing Experiences
Many lessons learnt
Wanted to share them
Many people concerned about the threat of closure, no
idea where to look Knowledge, experience and advice shared through http://parentsagainstschoolclosure.davesinfocafe.com
Currently working with 2 schools in Gateshead, 1 in
South Tyneside and have had numerous requests foradvice from schools in Scotland, Wales and England.
Discussions with NASS working together
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Useful Links
Save Gillas Lane School
www.savegillaslaneschool.info
Parents Against School Closure
http://parentsagainstschoolclosure.davesinfocafe.com
NASS
www.smallschools.org.uk
The Schools Adjudicator http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/
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Any Questions?
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