Last updated 18:21, Wednesday, 24 September 2008

IAN BIRD, concerned Barrow parent and grandparent, writes on behalf of Our Schools Are Not For Sale

OUR Schools Are Not For Sale (OSANFS) cautiously welcomes the change of heart by Cumbria County Council, which has now acknowledged that the original one-site academy was both unwanted and unworkable.

This decision followed the intervention of John Hutton MP, Lord Adonis, and the common sense put forward by OSANFS with the support of the people of Barrow.

During the past nine months councillors have refused to address some questions and concerns raised by OSANFS, creating distrust, antagonism and bewilderment among parents struggling to make important decisions for their children's education.

Cumbria County Council says it now intends to consult on a two-site academy at Parkview and Thorncliffe. We expect them to fully consult with all interested stakeholders including parents, pupils, school staff, governors, local residents etc.

The consultation needs to address catchment areas, admissions policies, curriculum, implementation of specialisms and countless other important issues, including the closure of Alfred Barrow School, and how its pupils will be placed in other schools.

A smooth transition is essential for all pupils particularly with regard to continuity of teaching quality.

It is vital that the consultation document and associated public meetings are widely publicised and distributed. The new document should be available from October 1. If parents do not receive a copy they should contact either their councillor or the OSANFS website.

We are most concerned that the new consultation is running in parallel with the feasibility study of the defunct scheme. This is a recipe for complete confusion, with parents unsure as to which consultation is under consideration. We believe the feasibility study into the dead scheme should cease immediately to allow the new consultation to proceed without fears that a decision had already been made.

Finally, the start date for any new scheme should be put back a year. Our children's education is too precious to rush.