THE FUTURE OF SCHOOLS IN BROADSTONE

A major programme of consultation has been under way for some time to decide the future of schools in Poole. The reasons behind this re-organisation are threefold - falling roles in some areas, the growth of the school age population in other areas and the mixture of types of schools with varying ages of transfer which exist within the Borough. The consultation explored four options:

1. move to a two tier system (transfer at age 11)
2. move to a three tier system (transfer at ages 9 and 13)
3. move to a two tier system except in the Corfe Hills pyramid
4. retain the current organisation.

This phase of the consultation process has been completed and the officers reported back to the Borough of Poole Learning Overview Group in September, 2004. The Report revealed that 82% preferred a single system of school organisation. Most favoured the two tier system with transfer at 11 but a significant minority (33%), especially those with children in schools in Broadstone, preferred the three tier system. Two options received little support. The Report recommended that Option 4 should be discarded. Option 3 could also be discarded but there would need to be full consultation with Dorset County Council - many of the Corfe Hills students come from our neighbouring schools at Corfe Mullen and Wimborne.

The next step is to create a project team to develop school by school proposals and to consider the full costing of changes. The proposals will need to incorporate plans to adjust catchment areas. When the project team has completed its work, a further round of consultation on the detailed proposals will be necessary.

If it is decided to move to the two tier system, how will it affect us in Broadstone? At this stage, one can only speculate. A changing situation, which is seen as a challenge and opportunity by some, will be greeted with worry or disillusionment by others.

What if we no longer have a Middle school? Corfe Hills would have to find places and teachers for the 11-13 pupils. What happens to the children aged 9-11? Do we have two Primary schools to replace our three present schools (Broadstone First, Springdale First and Broadstone Middle)? There are some intriguing possibilities to consider.

Teachers have become experts at adapting to new situations devised by the government or the local authority. But what about the individual teaching posts? Will the three present Headteachers be applying for two posts? The same question applies to Deputy Heads and Subject Coordinators etc..

And what if we consider the premises? What changes need to be made to the present buildings so that the new schools can cater for their new age groups? What if one of the present sites is surplus to educational requirements? Broadstone First School has some excellent new buildings but it does not have any playing fields. What if this site, in the centre of Broadstone, was considered to be no longer needed?

The possibilities are endless. One could go on asking "What if" for many more paragraphs. No decisions will be made overnight and the implementation of any changes will not happen before 2008. Nevertheless, the decision time is fast approaching. If you want to have your say, make sure that our local councillors and all political parties hear your views - now.

N.B. Irrespective of the overall Poole Reorganisation, consultation has already taken place in the Hillbourne area on the closure of the existing schools and the opening of a single combined school for nursery, first and middle years children.

Don Rogers, Hon. Education Officer

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