My mistake sorry, you are of course correct. We merged with the Tech a little later.

Actually it was Holker street who joined with Victoria in 1973 not the Tech.

In 1974 I started at Victoria School, which changed it's name to Thorncliffe School in 1975 - when we joined forces with the Technical School across the road.
Why then does the commemorative stone date it from 1979, the year I left ? The school was highly regarded with brilliant teachers who had a really good relationship with the pupils.
I enjoyed my time there, as did many of my school friends; who I am still in touch with even though I've been living in Holland for 10 yrs.

I am shocked to hear Mr Titcombe's view on the commemorative path and patio. I worked on a vocational programme with the students over a period of 15 weeks (in my own time). These particular pupils needed a challenge that took them out of the classroom and helped build not only specific skills to do with paving, but also helped them develop social skills that will hopefully help them in life.Each pupil was trained on a rotation basis to learn aspects of the trade until I was satisfied they had the knowledge and ability to perform this task by themselves. I stood over them and watched (over 2 weekends)as they built something they were proud of.At the same time all this hard work led to credits towards their coursework in the subject. Dave Cooper from 'Stoneworkshop' spent many hours engraving the plaque(which would have cost in excess of £300)and he followed the instructions and wording of the students, who felt strongly about leaving a lasting timepiece in recognition of their school. I hope you realise after reading this, that this was to help students, which I was led to believe you care passionately about.I recently sponsored the class trip to Warrington's Go-karting track.I have been liasing with 10 other small businesses who are interested in further projects via local schools. I am a firm believer in giving young people skills for life and hope teachers with a vision like Miss Ward don't get downhearted after your negative feedback, and continue to work alongside business and community more in the future.

Just like to reply to Samuel's comment regarding who paid for the pathway and engraving at Thorncliffe School...The materials were donated by Building Supplies Barrow. The time spent by myself was free of charge. Dave Cooper of The Stoneworkshop, who engraved the slate commemorative plaque, gave this and his services free of charge. Infact the whole process was for the students to meet their ASDAN course requirement and had absolutely nothing to do with the sponsors of any academy.

I am against academies in principle, Skeptic, for they filter too much money away from other schools in the area. They are also too large for efficient and compassionate education in many cases - the pastoral system in particular needs to be extremely well organised in large schools to cater for pupils who can get lost. In Barrow, if I had had a vote a year or so ago, I'd have voted against it.

However, now things have changed. I believe, despite the increasingly desperate claims of the objectors, that the new academy in Barrow is a certainty. Thus attention should be diverted to ensuring the new school is a success for the sake of the kids who will be attending it. Do we really feel the constant scaremongering is going to do the future education of our children any good?

Yes, I'd send my child there if I lived in its catchment area, and I'd hope all parents and the whole community would get involved in trying to make their local school a wonderful learning environment for the future generation.

When the academy opens, will you be behind it?

It used to be called "Barrow County Technical School for Boys" once.
We were the first , 1st Form in the new school.
It seems so long ago now and I am now so far away. I still however have some fond memories.

Funny you should say that Ron because every letter you have written to the Mail in the last year has been in support of it and despite having read these postings that still seems to be your view. The truth is that many parents were prepared to go with the propaganda and promises but as more has been revealed the less they like it. Now it seems even the governors that were most taken in are also beginning to stir. Not before time. Would you willingly send your child to this academy?

Mr Creer
Many thanks for putting the case for 'giving up' so well. Unfortunately for me personally it is not a case of 'oh well it can't be improved so we might as well run with it'.
I have two children in the middle of all this and neither see any reason for their school to go out of existence especially as an awful lot of their teachers have left or are leaving this summer.

If it really is going to be such an improvement over the existing schools why have so many teachers already 'moved on'?

I have grave doubts that the sponsors and their 'teams' or 'layers of management' have the slightest idea of how to run an effective school let alone how to merge three entirely different school systems from across Barrows great academic and social divide.

Having a few school council members shouting for a logo and organising 'meet the other schools' events is not a smooth well thought out integration process.

I too fear for the pupils but the pupils I know are able to make their own minds up and the majority think us 'adults' are idiots!

Once the last hurdles have been overcome and the academy is certain, please will the objectors admit defeat and wish the new school well? I am sad for the pupils to read of people seemingly wishing the academy to fail before it starts. As it happens, I was against having an academy originally, mainly because of the effect on other local schools, but once it is open I will wish it all the best: will everyone else do the same?